Two researchers are studying the decline of orangutan populations. In one study, a population of 784 orangutans is expected to decrease at a rate of 25 orangutans per year. In a second study, the population of a group of 817 orangutans is expected to decrease at a rate of 36 per year. After how many years will the two populations be the same?

Question

The two populations will be the same after _____ years.

Answer 1

2 years.

In the first study, the population of 784 orangutans will decrease by 25 orangutans per year.
784 - 25 = 759 after 1 year,
759 - 25 = 734 after 2 years.

In the second study, the population of 817 orangutans will decrease by 36 orangutans per year.
817 - 36 = 781 after 1 year,
781 - 36 = 745 after 2 years.

After 2 years, both populations will be the same at 734 orangutans.