PRACTICE EXERCISES

1. Between 2007 and 2008, Olympia grew almost 3% to a population of 245 thousand people. If this
growth rate was to continue, what would the population of Olympia be in 2020?

Step 1: Find the initial value (P0)

P0= 245,000

Step 2: Find the growth rate(r)

r = 3%

Step 3: Construct your Exponential Growth Model (EGM)

P0 = 245,000 ; r = 0.03

EGM: 𝑃n=245,000 (1+.03)n

Step 4: Solve for the unknown using the EGM.

What would be the population in 2020?

From the initial year 2007-2008, there will be 12 years until 2020 (n = 12)

𝑃n=245,000 (1+0.03)n

P17= 245,000 (1+0.03)12

P17= 245,000 (1.03)12

P17= 245,000 (1.425760887)

P17= 349,311.4173

P17= 349,311

Final answer: In the year 2020, the population of Olympia will be 349,311.

2. If Olympia is growing according to the equation, Pn = 245 (1.03)n, where is years after 2008, and the
population is measured in thousands. Find when the population will be 400 thousand.

Step 1: Substitute the given in the formula:

𝑃𝑛=245 (1.03)n

Initial year = 2008 with a population of 245,000 (P 0)

Rate(r) ➔ (1+r)n ➔ (1.03)n ➔(1+0.03)n ➔ r=0.03

 Pn = 400,000

Step 2: Simplify.

𝑃𝑛=245(1.03)n

400,000 = 245000(1+0.03)n

400,000 = 245000(1.03)n

400,000 = 245,000(1.03)n ➔ divide both sides by 245,000

245,000 245,000
1.632653061 = 1.03n

1.632653061 = 1.03n ➔ apply the concept of logarithm

log 1.632653061 = n * log 1.03

log 1.632653061 = n * log 1.03 ➔ divide both sides by log 1.03

log 1.03 log 1.03

log 1.632653061 = n ➔ simplify

log 1.03
16.58410691 = n

Final answer: The population will reach 400,000 after 17 years (approximate)

3. India is the second most populous country in the world, with a population in 2008 of about 1.14
billion people. The population is growing by about 1.34% each year. If this trend continues, what will
India’s population grow to by 2020?

Step 1: Find the initial value (P0)

P0= 1,140,000,000

Step 2: Find the growth rate(r)

r = 1.34%

Step 3: Construct your Exponential Growth Model (EGM)

P0 = 1,140,000,000; r = 0.0134

EGM: 𝑃n= 1,140,000,000 (1+.03)n

Step 4: Solve for the unknown using the EGM.

What would be the population in 2020?

From the initial year 2008, there will be 12 years until 2020 (n = 12)

𝑃n= 1,140,000,000 (1+0.0134)n

P12= 1,140,000,000 (1+0.0134)12

P12= 1,140,000,000 (1.0134)12

P12= 1,140,000,000 (1.17319661)

P12= 1,337,444,136

P12= 1,337,444,136

Final answer: In the year 2020, the population of Olympia will be 1,337,444,136.

4. India had a population in 2008 of about 1.14 billion people. The population is growing by about 1.34%
each year. If this trend continues, when will India’s population reach 1.2 billion?

Step 1: Substitute the given in the formula:

𝑃𝑛= 1,140,000,000 (1.03)n

Initial year = 2008 with a population of 1,140,000,000 (P 0)

Rate(r) ➔ (1+r)n ➔ (0.0134)n ➔(1+0.0134)n ➔ r= 0.0134

Pn = 400,000

Step 2: Simplify.

𝑃𝑛=245(1.03)n

1,200,000,000 = 1,140,000,000 (1+0.0134) n

1,200,000,000 = 1,140,000,000 (1.0134)n

1,200,000,000 = 1,140,000,000 (1.0134)n ➔ divide both sides by 245,000

1,140,000,000 1,140,000,000
1.052631579 = 1.0134n

1.052631579 = 1.0134n ➔ apply the concept of logarithm

log 1.052631579 = n * log 1.0134

log 1.052631579 = n * log 1.0134➔ divide both sides by log 1.03

log 1.0134 log 1.0134
log 1.052631579 = n ➔ simplify
log 1.0134
3.853447544 = n
Final answer: The population will reach 1,200,000,000 after 3 years (approximate)