A town's population has been growing linearly. In 2003 the population was 47,000. The population has been growing by 1200 people each year. a) Write an equation for the population, P, x years after 2003. b) Use the formula to find the population in 2009:

Step-by-step explanation:

The population in 2003 = 47000

Since the population increase by 1200 every year,

in 2004 the population will be 47000+1200

in 2005 the population will be 47000 + (1200+1200) which is the same as

47000+2 (1200) where 2 is 2 years after 2003,

Therefore the population x years after 2003 is 47000+x (1200).

P = 47000+1200x

b) The population at 2009 which is 6 years after 2003 will be

47000 + (1200) * 6=47000+7200 = 54200

The population at 2009 is 54200,