MODELING UTAH POPULATION DATA

Math 1010 Intermediate Algebra Group Project

According to data from the U.S. Census ureau! Population "i#ision! the population of Utah appears to
ha#e increased linearl$ o#er the $ears from 1%&0 to '00&. (he follo)ing table sho)s the population in
100!000*s li#ing in Utah according to $ear. In this project! $ou )ill use the data in the table to +nd a linear
function f ,x- that represents the data! re.ecting the change in population in Utah.
Estimates of Utah Resident Population,
in 1,!s
"ea# 1%&1 1%&% 1%%/ 1%%% '000 '00&
$ 1 % 1/ 1% '0 '&
Populatio
n, % 10.' 11.1 1% '' '0 '1.2
Source3 U.S. Census ureau! Population "i#ision
1. Estimate the coordinates of two points that fall on your best-fitting line. Write these points below.
(19, 22), (2, 2)
f(x) ! 1"2# $ 12 %
1. 4hat is the slope of $our line5 m 6 7
2. &ind the 'alue of f (() using your function from part ). *how your wor+, then write your result in the blan+ below.
f(45) 6 18'9 : 1' 7 96;0
). Use $our function from part / to appro9imate in )hat $ear the residential population of Utah reached
'!000!000. Sho) $our )or<.
'!000!000 and 100!000 =emo#e +#e of >ero. '!000!000 )ill be '0.
?,9- 6 '0 6 18'9 :1'.0 9 6 10 1%&0 : 10 61%%0

A. 1%%0
(. Compare $our linear function )ith that of another student or group.
,omparison function- f(x) y ! 11"# $ 1 (.ar+)
y ! 2"# $ 1 (,hris)
/s the comparison function the same as the function you wrote down for part )0
/f they are different, e#plain why.
.aybe my line was not right. / used a calculator (1/-2() to fide the right line.
/t was y ! 3.(4# $ 1).5 /t would be better to choose a lower line. /t means the slope can be smaller.
/f they are the same, e#plain why.
We ha'e the same point of 'iew.
. In actualit$! using a linear gro)th model for population is not common. Most models are e9ponential
models! due to the fact that most populations e9perience relati#e gro)th! i.e. '@ gro)th per $ear.
Ainear models for nonlinear relationships li<e population )or< onl$ )ithin a small time frame #alid
close to the time of the data modeled. "iscuss some of the false conclusions $ou might reach if $ou
use $our linear model for times far from 1%&0B'00&.
If the population gro)s li<e a liner model! it )ould be easier to plan e#er$thing for the future. ?or
e9ample! food! school! road
etc. ut the population )on*t increase li<e a liner model. It gro)s suddenl$. It is called as
CD9ponential Model.E