Type the correct answer in the box. Round your answer to the nearest whole number.

The population in the United States in 2015 was 321 million people. It is projected to increase to 438 million people by the year 2050.

If projections are true, the US population will increase by what percentage from 2015 to 2050?



Answer :

To determine the percentage increase in the US population from 2015 to 2050, follow these steps:

1. Identify the given populations:
- Population in 2015 = 321 million
- Projected population in 2050 = 438 million

2. Calculate the increase in population:
[tex]\[ \text{Population increase} = \text{Population in 2050} - \text{Population in 2015} \][/tex]
[tex]\[ \text{Population increase} = 438 - 321 = 117 \text{ million} \][/tex]

3. Calculate the percentage increase:
[tex]\[ \text{Percentage increase} = \left( \frac{\text{Population increase}}{\text{Population in 2015}} \right) \times 100 \][/tex]
[tex]\[ \text{Percentage increase} = \left( \frac{117}{321} \right) \times 100 \approx 36.4486\% \][/tex]

4. Round the percentage increase to the nearest whole number:
[tex]\[ \text{Rounded percentage increase} \approx 36\% \][/tex]

Therefore, the US population is projected to increase by approximately 36% from 2015 to 2050.