I. Linear Growth:
Suppose that the amount that your town's population grows each year is fixed (or constant).
Choose the amount of population growth each year = __________
(Hint: Choose a whole number for your growth rate, rather than a percent.)
a) Fill in the following chart:
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Year (t)
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Population (P)
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t = 0 (2010)
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t = 1 (2011)
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t = 2 (2012)
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t = 3 (2013)
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t = 6 (2016)
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b) Find a linear equation in the form P = mt + b (y = mx + b), which gives the population, P, t years from 2010.
c) Use your equation in part b to approximate the population in the year 2030.
d) Use your equation in part b to approximate how many years it will take the population to reach 7000.
e) Graph this function in MS Excel by plotting the points found in your chart in part a. Label your axes with time on the x-axis and population on the y-axis.