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The number of citizens is rising in the town by the same/equal percentage each year in contrast to the previous year. In 6 years time, the number of citizens rose from 1 635000 to 2 010000. What is the percentage of growth each year equal to?

My solution:

$$a_6=a_1*q^{n-1}; n=6$$ $$2 010000=1635000*q^5 => q=\sqrt[\leftroot{-2}\uproot{5}5]{\frac{2010000}{1635000}}$$ and then I get: $$q=1.042$$

Can anyone help on this one..

The result should be 3.5%

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  • $\begingroup$ You haven't taken the 5th root. In any case it should be the sixth root. $\endgroup$
    – user121049
    Jul 3, 2017 at 11:28
  • $\begingroup$ the formula states n-1, therefore it is 5, o yes let me edit this, $\endgroup$ Jul 3, 2017 at 11:28
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    $\begingroup$ There are 6 years of growth each of 3.5%. $\endgroup$
    – user121049
    Jul 3, 2017 at 11:31
  • $\begingroup$ I got it now, will post the solution... $\endgroup$ Jul 3, 2017 at 11:32

3 Answers 3

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Since 1635000 is the non increased value therefore it is the $a_0$ or the $a_1$ but then we add $a_7$ as the final value.

Therefore:

$$a_7=a_1*q^6 => q=1.035 => 0.035$$ That's 0.035 increase or 3.5% each year.

In other words:

$$a_1=0x\space increase=1,635000 $$ $$a_2=1x\space increase$$ $$a_3=2x\space increase$$ $$a_4=3x\space increase$$ $$a_5=4x\space increase$$ $$a_6=5x\space increase$$ $$a_7=6x\space increase=2,010000$$

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Some other way to solve this problem is through recursion: $$T(n)=T(n-1)(1+a)$$ $$T(0)=b$$ where $b$ is the basic number of citizens and $a$ is the fraction of increase. Now the solution of this recursion is $$b \times (1+a)^n$$ For $$T(6)=b \times (1+a)^6=2010000\implies (1+a)^6=\frac{2010000}{1635000}$$ Now solve for a.

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  • $\begingroup$ I love this one. will mark it as the answer $\endgroup$ Jul 4, 2017 at 6:47
  • $\begingroup$ There was a slight mistake in the answer, I corrected it. $\endgroup$ Jul 4, 2017 at 9:58
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$$B=A\;(1+g)^6\\ g=\left(\frac BA\right)^\frac16-1 $$

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