Answer:
Step-by-step explanation:
Since both populations are growing exponentially, we would apply the formula for determining exponential growth which is expressed as
A = P(1 + r)^t
Where
A represents the population after t years.
t represents the number of years.
P represents the initial population.
r represents rate of growth.
a) for the population to double,
A = 2(87 × 10^6) = 174 × 10^6
P = 87 × 10^6
r = 3.5%% = 3.5/100 = 0.035
Therefore
174 × 10^6 = 87 × 10^6(1 + 0.035)^t
174 × 10^6/87 × 10^6 = (1 + 0.035/1)^t
2 = (1.035)^t
Taking log of both sides to base 10
Log 2 = log1.035^t = tlog1.035
0.3010 = t × 0.015
t = 0.3010/0.015 = 20 years
The year would be
1987 + 20 = 2007
b) let t represent the year when the the two countries will have the same population. Therefore,
In t years, the population of country A would be
87 × 10^6(1 + 0.035)^t = 87 × 10^6(1.035)^t
In t years also, the population of country B would be
243 × 10^6(1 + 0.006)^t = 243 × 10^6(1.006)^t
For both populations to be the same, the number of years that it will take would be
87 × 10^6(1.035)^t = 243 × 10^6(1.006)^t
87(1.035)^t = 243(1.006)^t
By iterating,
t is approximately 36 years