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The population of a certain community is known to increase at a rate proportional to the number of people present at time t. If the population has doubled in 5 years, how long will it take to triple?

Answer :

Answer:

[tex]t=7.85 years[/tex]

Step-by-step explanation:

We can write this rate as an ordinary differential equation.

[tex]\frac{dP}{dt}=aP[/tex]

Where a is proportional constant, P the population variable, and t the time.

[tex]\frac{dP}{P}=adt[/tex]

Integrating each side of the equation.

[tex]\int \frac{dP}{P}=\int adt[/tex]

[tex]ln(P)=at+c[/tex]

[tex]P=e^{at+c}[/tex]

[tex]P=e^{c}e^{at}=Ce^{at}[/tex]

To find C we need to use the initial condiction, it means evaluae P at t=0.

[tex]P_{0}=Ce^{0}=C[/tex]

[tex]P=P_{0}e^{at}[/tex]

Now, we use the sentence  the population has doubled in 5 years.

[tex]2P_{0}=P_{0}e^{a5}[/tex]

We can find "a" in this condition.

[tex]2=e^{a5}[/tex]

[tex]ln(2)=a5[/tex]

[tex]a=\frac{ln(2)}{5}[/tex]

[tex]a=0.14[/tex]

Finally, let's find how long will it take to triple.

[tex]3P_{0}=P_{0}e^{0.14t}[/tex]

[tex]3=e^{0.14t}[/tex]

[tex]t=\frac{ln(3)}{0.14}[/tex]

[tex]t=7.85 years[/tex]

I hope it helps you!