This is an exponential equation that can be represented by the following:
f(x) = a(b)^x
In this case...
25143 = a(0.66)^3
25143 is the population after 3 hours.
3 is the amount of time in hours.
0.66 represents the percent of the population remaining after each hour (66% as there is a 34% decline each hour).
We must solve for a, which is the initial population.
First, simplify (0.66)^3 to 0.2874.
25143 = 0.2874a
Now divide both sides by 0.2874 to isolate a.
a = 87455
There were initially 87,455 people within the city. I wouldn't want to be in that place!
