Question

Every five years in March, the population of a certain town is recorded. 1995 the town had a population of 4,500 people. From 1995 to 2000, the population increased by 15%. From 2000 to 2005, the population decreased by 4%. What was the town’s population in 2005?

Answer 1

1995: 4,500
2000: 1.15 · 4,500 = 5,175
2005 : 0.96 · 5,175 = 4,968

or

0.96 · 1,15 · 4,500 = 1.104 · 4,500 = 4,968

In 2005 the town had a population of 4,968 people.