The population of Nigeria was about 140 million in 2008 and the exponential growth rate was 2.4% per year. How do you write an exponential function describing the population of Nigeria?

1 Answer
Jul 24, 2016

Population = 140 million#(1.024)^n#

Explanation:

If the population is growing at a rate of 2.4% then your growth will look like this:

2008: 140 million
2009: After 1 year: 140 million #xx 1.024#
2010: After 2 years; 140 million #xx 1.024xx1.024#
2011: After 3 years: 140 million #xx 1.024 xx1.024 xx1.024#
2012: After 4 years: 140 million #xx 1.024 xx1.024 xx1.024 xx1.024#

So the population after #n# years is given as:

Population = 140 million#(1.024)^n#