Question

Population Growth The population P (in thousands) of San Jose, California, from 1980 to 2010 is shown in the table. (Midyear estimates are given.) Draw a rough graph of P as a function of time t.

Short answer

A function is defined as, given a set of inputs X and a set of possible outputs Y as a set of ordered pairs (x, y). We can write the statement that f is a function from X to Y using the function notationf: $X\to Y$.

Step-by-step solution

Step 1. Use the definition of functions.

A function is defined as, given a set of inputs X and a set of possible outputs Y as a set of ordered pairs (x, y). We can write the statement that f is a function from X to Y using the function notationf: $X\to Y$.

Step 2. Analyze the information given.

The population P (in thousands) of San Jose, California, from 1980 to 2010 is given in the table. (Midyear estimates are given.)

Step 3. Evaluate the function.

Using time in years as a variable t, with year as 1980 as start or $t=0$ and population as P we construct a function table as shown:

Years	Time $\left(t\right)$	Population $\left(P\right)$
1980	0	629
1985	1	714
1990	2	782
1995	3	825
2000	4	895
2005	5	901
2010	6	946

Step 4. Graph the function.

Using the table values above, we graph $\left(t,P\right)$coordinates to construct a graph as shown: