- POPULATION The population P in thousands of a
city can be modeled by the equation P= 80e 0.015t
where t is the time in years. In how many years will
the population of the city be 120,000?



Answer :

To determine the number of years it will take for the population of the city to reach 120,000, we need to solve the given exponential growth equation for [tex]\( t \)[/tex].

The given equation for population [tex]\( P \)[/tex] in thousands is:
[tex]\[ P = 80e^{0.015t} \][/tex]

We want to find the time [tex]\( t \)[/tex] when the population [tex]\( P \)[/tex] is 120,000. Since [tex]\( P \)[/tex] is given in thousands:
[tex]\[ P = 120 \][/tex]

Thus, the equation becomes:
[tex]\[ 120 = 80e^{0.015t} \][/tex]

To isolate [tex]\( t \)[/tex], we follow these steps:

1. Divide both sides by 80:
[tex]\[ \frac{120}{80} = e^{0.015t} \][/tex]

Simplify the fraction:
[tex]\[ 1.5 = e^{0.015t} \][/tex]

2. Take the natural logarithm (ln) of both sides to eliminate the exponential function:
[tex]\[ \ln(1.5) = \ln(e^{0.015t}) \][/tex]

3. Use the property of logarithms that [tex]\( \ln(e^x) = x \)[/tex]:
[tex]\[ \ln(1.5) = 0.015t \][/tex]

4. Solve for [tex]\( t \)[/tex] by dividing both sides by 0.015:
[tex]\[ t = \frac{\ln(1.5)}{0.015} \][/tex]

5. Calculate the natural logarithm of 1.5:
[tex]\[ \ln(1.5) \approx 0.405465 \][/tex]

6. Divide by 0.015 to find [tex]\( t \)[/tex]:
[tex]\[ t = \frac{0.405465}{0.015} \approx 27.031 \][/tex]

Conclusion:
It will take approximately 27 years for the population of the city to reach 120,000.

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