Pretend the world's population in 1988 was 4.9 billion and that the projection for 2017, assuming exponential growth, is 7 billion.

What annual rate of growth is assumed in this prediction?

To determine the annual rate of growth, we can use the formula for exponential growth:

P(t) = P(0) * e^(rt)

Where:
P(t) is the population at time t
P(0) is the initial population
r is the annual growth rate
t is the time period

Given that the population in 1988 (P(0)) is 4.9 billion and the projected population in 2017 (P(t)) is 7 billion, we can plug in these values and solve for r:

7 billion = 4.9 billion * e^(r * 29)

Dividing both sides by 4.9 billion:

7 / 4.9 = e^(29r)

Simplifying further:

1.428571429 = e^(29r)

Taking the natural logarithm (ln) of both sides:

ln(1.428571429) = ln(e^(29r))

Using the property ln(e^x) = x:

ln(1.428571429) = 29r

Now, divide both sides by 29 to isolate r:

r = ln(1.428571429) / 29

Using a calculator, we can find:

r ≈ 0.0164 or 1.64%

Therefore, the annual rate of growth assumed in this prediction is approximately 1.64%.

To determine the annual rate of growth assumed in this prediction, we can use the exponential growth formula:

P(t) = P(0) * (1 + r)^t

Where:
- P(t) represents the population at time t
- P(0) represents the initial population (in 1988)
- r represents the annual growth rate
- t represents the number of years

Given that the population in 1988 (P(0)) was 4.9 billion and the projected population in 2017 (P(t)) is 7 billion, we need to find the value of the growth rate (r). We also know that the time span (t) is 2017 - 1988 = 29 years.

Substituting the values into the formula, we have:

7 billion = 4.9 billion * (1 + r)^29

To find the growth rate (r), we can rearrange the equation and solve for it. Here are the steps:

1. Divide both sides of the equation by 4.9 billion:
7/4.9 = (1 + r)^29

2. Take the 29th root of both sides:
(7/4.9)^(1/29) = 1 + r

3. Subtract 1 from both sides to isolate r:
(7/4.9)^(1/29) - 1 = r

To calculate this value, I will use a calculator:

r ≈ 0.0177

Therefore, the predicted annual rate of growth is approximately 0.0177, or 1.77%.

I assume you want to find the annual rate of growth. So,

4.9(1+r)^(2017-1988) = 7
r = 0.012375 or about 1.2%