Question p-t-26

2.1 Nonlinear Functions - Exponential growth and decay functions
0:00

Pt=2601.0464t

The function P models the population, in thousands, of a certain city t years after 2003 . According to the model, the population is predicted to increase by 4% every n months. What is the value of n ?

A.

8

B.

12

C.

18

D.

72

P t = 260 1.04 6 4 t The function P models the population, in thousands,

Hard-difficulty · SAT Math · Nonlinear Functions — Exponential growth and decay functions. Read the question above, select your answer, and check the full explanation below to understand exactly why the correct choice works.

Answer explanation

Choice A is correct. It’s given that the function P models the population, in thousands, of a certain city t years after 2003. The value of the base of the given exponential function, 1.04 , corresponds to an increase of 4% for every increase of 1 in the exponent, 64t. If the exponent is equal to 0 , then 64t=0. Multiplying both sides of this equation by 46 yields t = 0 . If the exponent is equal to 1 , then 64t=1. Multiplying both sides of this equation by 46 yields t=46, or t = 2 3 . Therefore, the population is predicted to increase by 4% every 2 3 of a year. It’s given that the population is predicted to increase by 4% every n months. Since there are 12 months in a year, 2 3 of a year is equivalent to 2312, or 8 , months. Therefore, the value of n is 8 .

Choice B is incorrect. This is the number of months in which the population is predicted to increase by 4% according to the model Pt=2601.04t, not Pt=2601.0464t.

Choice C is incorrect. This is the number of months in which the population is predicted to increase by 4% according to the model Pt=2601.0446t, not Pt=2601.0464t.

Choice D is incorrect. This is the number of months in which the population is predicted to increase by 4% according to the model Pt=2601.0416t, not Pt=2601.0464t.