Population growth can be modeled using an exponential function: P = Ae^kt
Since it was given that:
At 1985, P = 145 M and at 1995, P = 190 M, we could easily solve for the constants A and k
145 = Ae^k(1985)
190 = Ae^k(1995)
Using natural logarithms to transform these equations to linear:
Ln 145 – ln A = k(1985) ->eqn 1
Ln 190 – ln A = k(1995) -> eqn 2
Solving the system of equations:
Ln A = -48.6759, A = 7.249x10^-22
k = 0.02702
P = (7.249 x 10 ^-22) e^ 0.02702t
TIP: try not to round off values. Since the terms are exponential, a slight deviance of the constants will yield great differences in P
