Answer:
Step-by-step explanation:
This is an exponential growth function of the form:
[tex]y=ab^x[/tex] where a is the initial population and b is the growth rate. This could also be written as
[tex]y=a(1+r)^x[/tex] which is a bit more accurate. We'll use that one. r is the percent growth: 2% for us.
Filling in the formula:
[tex]y=17400(1+.02)^x[/tex] and then simplifying:
[tex]y=17400(1.02)^x[/tex]
That's the model for this population. Filling in any number of years for x will give you the population y. Our time is 9 years:
[tex]y=17400(1.02)^9[/tex]
Take care of the exponents first, giving us:
[tex]y=17400(1.195092569)[/tex] and then multiply to get
y = 20,794.6 or 20,794 people (since you can't have 6/10 of a person)
