Find a Power Function That Models the Data in the Table

question 216

Multiple Choice

Find a power function that models the data in the table. Round to three decimal places if necessary.
-The population of a small town is given by the table. $\begin{array}{r|rrrr}\text { Year } & 1980 & 1990 & 2000 & 2010 \\\hline \mathrm{P} & 7500 & 7513 & 7552 & 7617\end{array}$

If the population is modeled by $\mathrm { p } ( \mathrm { t } ) = \mathrm { at } ^ { 2 } + \mathrm { b }$ where $\mathrm { t }$ is in years and $\mathrm { t } = 0$ corresponds to the year 1980 and $t = 1$ corresponds the year 1990 , find $a$ .

• A) 26
• B) 30
• C) 15
• D) 13

---

Definitions:

Market Price

The present trading value at which a service or asset is available for sale or purchase.

Rights Offering

An opportunity for current shareholders to purchase additional shares at a discount, before the company offers them to the general public.

Subscription Price

The amount that investors pay to purchase shares of a mutual fund or another similar investment fund.

Rights Offering

A method by which companies raise capital, allowing current shareholders to purchase additional shares at a discounted price before the general public.