Algebra 2- Population growth project

Due: Friday, May 24th

The population of cities and countries can often be modeled by exponential functions. Exponential functions can be written in the form , where b is the growth or decay factor. For example, since 1950, the population of Costa Rica can be modeled by the following equation: , where f(x) represents the population, x represents the year since 1950, and 1.02816 represents the growth factor. Other countries around the world have experienced rapid increases in their populations during this time period as well. Your task is to choose a country and research its population during the following years: 1950, 1960, 1970, 1980, 1990, 2000, and 2010. You must choose a country whose population increased during every year listed above. You will then create a scatter plot of your data on the coordinate plane, calculate and graph the exponential line of best fit equation (on the calculator), and use this to predict the population of your country in the year 2050. You will also provide background information on your country, including any reasons for sharp increases in its population over the past 60 years. You may choose to work independently or with a partner in the same class period. No repeats of countries are allowed in the same class period. All work must be neatly written or typed. Graphs may be drawn by hand or created in Microsoft Excel. You may choose to display your project in poster-form or on separate sheets of paper stapled together. No electronic submissions will be accepted. The following rubric will be used to evaluate your project.

Rubric: 40 point test grade Data table of countrys population during years above (5 points) Scatter plot of data based on table above, including correct scaling and labeling (10 points)

Line of best fit equation, table of values for this equation, and graph on the same coordinate plane as scatter plot (15 points)

Prediction of population in the year 2050 (5 points)

Background info. / Written analysis- answer the following questions in one paragraph. (5 points) 1) According to your line of best fit equation, what was the growth rate (as a percent) of the population of your country during this time period? 2) What are some factors that have contributed to your countrys population increase during this time period? 3) Do you think the line of best fit equation is an accurate predictor of your countrys population? Why or why not? 4) What was the population density (total population / total land area) of your country in 2010? 5) List three fun facts about your country.

Sample: Population of Costa Rica from 1950 2010 Data found at: http://www.census.gov/population/international/data/idb/region.php Year (x) 1950 1960 1970 1980 1990 2000 2010 Population: f(x) 867,000 1,248,000 1,736,000 2,299,000 3,023,000 3,883,000 4,516,000

Population of Costa Rica

5000000 4000000 Population 3000000 2000000 1000000 0 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 Year (since 1950)

Create the line of best fit in your calculator by following the steps below. 1) Enter data: STAT EDIT #1 2) Calculate equations from scatter plot: STAT CALC #0

Line of best fit equation (round a value to two decimal places, b value to five decimal places): ______________________________________ Table of values based on equation above: x f(x)

Based on the equation above, the population of Costa Rica in 2050 will be __________________________