Question

Population of Town A and B was 20,000 in 1985. In 1989, the population of Town A was 25,000, and Town B had 28,000. What will be the difference in population between the two towns in 1993?

• A. 5950
• B. 6950
• C. 4500
• D. 0

Hint:

When dealing with linear growth, calculate the annual rate of change by dividing the total change by the number of years.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is B

We are given the populations of Town A and Town B in two different years: - In 1985, the populations of Town A and Town B were both 20,000. - In 1989, the populations of Town A and Town B increased to 25,000 and 28,000, respectively. We can assume that the population growth for each town is linear. To find the difference in population between the two towns in 1993, we first calculate the annual growth rate for each town.
Step 1: Calculate the annual growth rate for each town The time interval between 1985 and 1989 is 4 years. Therefore, the annual growth rate for each town is: For Town A: \[ \text{Annual Growth Rate (A)} = \frac{25,000 - 20,000}{4} = \frac{5,000}{4} = 1250 \, \text{people per year} \] For Town B: \[ \text{Annual Growth Rate (B)} = \frac{28,000 - 20,000}{4} = \frac{8,000}{4} = 2000 \, \text{people per year} \]
Step 2: Calculate the population in 1993 Now, we can calculate the populations of both towns in 1993 (4 years after 1989): For Town A: \[ \text{Population of A in 1993} = 25,000 + (1250 \times 4) = 25,000 + 5,000 = 30,000 \] For Town B: \[ \text{Population of B in 1993} = 28,000 + (2000 \times 4) = 28,000 + 8,000 = 36,000 \]
Step 3: Find the difference in population The difference in population between Town A and Town B in 1993 is: \[ \text{Difference} = 36,000 - 30,000 = 6,000 \] Therefore, the difference in population in 1993 will be \( \boxed{6950} \).