a) The linear function that models the population in t years after 2004 is: P(t) = -200t + 29600.
b) Using the function, the estimate for the population in 2020 is of 26,400.
What is a linear function?
A linear function is modeled by:
y = mx + b
In which:
- m is the slope, which is the rate of change, that is, by how much y changes when x changes by 1.
- b is the y-intercept, which is the value of y when x = 0, and can also be interpreted as the initial value of the function.
The initial population in 2004, of 29600, is the y-intercept. In 12 years, the population decayed 2400, hence the slope is:
m = -2400/12 = -200.
Hence the equation is:
P(t) = -200t + 29600.
2020 is 16 years after 2004, hence the estimate is:
P(16) = -200(16) + 29600 = 26,400.
More can be learned about linear functions at https://brainly.com/question/24808124
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