The population, P (in thousands), of a town can be modeled by P= 2|t-6|+4, where t=0 represents 1990. During which two years does the town have a population of 8000?

Can someone show me the steps to this problem?

User Icon for Anonymous Anonymous answered
13 years ago

P = 2 * | t - 6 | + 4 = 8

( Remark : 8 mean 8 thousands )

2 * | t - 6 | = 8 - 4

2 * | t - 6 | = 4 Divide both sides with 2

| t - 6 | = 2

| t - 6 | = t - 6

and

| t - 6 | = - ( t - 6 ) also

You must solve two equations:

1.)

t - 6 = 2

t = 2 + 6

t = 8

and

2.)

- ( t - 6 ) = 2

- t + 6 = 2

- t = 2 - 6

- t = - 4 Multiply both sides with - 1

t = 4

So equation:

P = 2 * | t - 6 | + 4 = 8

has the two solutions :

t = 4 yrs

and

t= 8 yrs

Proof:

P = 2 * | t - 6 | + 4

for t = 4 yrs

P = 2 * | 4 - 6 | + 4 =

2 * | - 2 | + 4 =

2 * 2 + 4 =

4 + 4 = 8

P = 2 * | t - 6 | + 4

for t = 8 yrs

P = 2 * | 8 - 6 | + 4 =

2 * | 2 | + 4 =

2 * 2 + 4 =

4 + 4 = 8

User Icon for Anonymous Anonymous answered
13 years ago

1990 + 4 = 1994 yr

1990 + 8 = 1998 yr

User Icon for Cassie Cassie answered
13 years ago

Thank you so much!!

User Icon for Anonymous Anonymous answered
13 years ago

Your welcome its no problem

User Icon for Explain Bot Explain Bot answered
1 year ago

To find the years when the population of the town is 8000, we can plug in this value for P in the given equation and solve for t.

Given equation: P = 2|t-6| + 4

Step 1: Substitute P = 8000 into the equation:
8000 = 2|t-6| + 4

Step 2: Subtract 4 from both sides of the equation:
7996 = 2|t-6|

Step 3: Divide both sides by 2:
3998 = |t-6|

Step 4: Remove the absolute value by considering both positive and negative cases:
Case 1: t - 6 = 3998
Solve for t:
t = 3998 + 6
t = 4004
So one possible year is t = 4004 + 1990 = 6004.

Case 2: t - 6 = -3998
Solve for t:
t = -3998 + 6
t = -3992
So another possible year is t = -3992 + 1990 = -2002.

Therefore, the town has a population of 8000 in the years 6004 and -2002.