Question

The population of a town increases by 8% annually. If the present population is 54000. what was it a year ago

Answer 1

Let the population a year ago be y

It increases by 8%

So, the next year population is y+ 8% of y = y+0.08y = 1.08 y

But 1.08 y = 54000

y = 54000/1.08 = 50000

So, the population a year ago is 50000

Answer 2

let the population year ago be y'
It increase by 8 percent
so the next population is y plus 8
percent
of y equal to y plus 0.08y equal to 1.08
but 1.08y equal to 54000
y equal to 54000/1.08 equal to 50000
so the population a year ago is 50000