WWW.C E M C .U WAT E R LO O.C A | T h e C E N T R E fo r E D U C AT I O N i n M AT H E M AT I C S a n d CO M P U T I N G ALPHAVILLE Population Same as BETAVILLE Problem of the Week Problem E and Solution The Same Again, Again BETAVILLE Population Same as ALPHAVILLE Problem The populations of Alphaville and Betaville were equal at the end of 2010. The population of Alphaville decreased by 2.8% during 2011, then increased by 8.5% during 2012. The population of Betaville increased by r% in each of the two years. That is, each year the population of Betaville increased by r% of the previous year’s population. If the populations of the towns were equal again at the end of 2012, determine the value of r correct to one decimal place. Solution Let p be the population of Alphaville at the end of 2010. Since Alphaville and Betaville have the same population size, then p is also the population of Betaville at the end of 2010. The populationof Alphaville decreased by 2.8% in 2011, so the population at the end of 2011 2.8 2.8 p= 1− p = 0.972p. is p − 100 100 The population of Alphaville by 8.5% during 2012, so the population at the end then increased 8.5 8.5 of 2012 is 0.972p + (0.972p) = 1 + (0.972p) = 1.085(0.972p) = 1.05462p. 100 100 The population increased by r% in 2011, so the population at the end of 2011 is of Betaville r r p= 1+ p. p+ 100 100 The population of Betavillethen increased so the population at the end of by r%r during 2012, r r r r r 2 2012 is 1 + p+ 1+ p= 1+ p 1+ = 1+ p. 100 100 100 100 100 100 Since the populations of Alphaville and Betaville are equal at the end of 2012, we have r 2 1+ p = 1.05462p 100 r 2 1+ = 1.05462 dividing both sides by p, since p > 0 100 r 1+ ≈ 1.02695 taking the square root of both sides 100 r ≈ 0.02695 100 r ≈ 2.7 Therefore, correct to one decimal place, r = 2.7.