Question

World Population Growth The table gives approximate values for the world population by providing midyear population estimates for the years 1900-2010.

Estimate the rate of population growth in 1920 and in 2000 by averaging the slopes of two secant lines.

Short answer

The rate of population growth in 1920 and in 2000 is 52.875.

Step-by-step solution

Step 1.  Given

The table gives approximate values for the world population by providing midyear population estimates for the years 1900-2010.

Step 2.  To determine

Estimate the rate of population growth in 1920 and in 2000 by averaging the slopes of two secant lines.

Step 3.  Calculation

We will take two points (1920, 1860) and (1960, 3040) for the first secant line.

The slope of this secant line is:

$\frac{3040-1860}{1960-1920}=\frac{1180}{40}=29.5$

We will take two points (1960, 3040) and (2000, 6090) for the second secant line.

The slope of this secant line is:

localid="1648768346896" $\frac{6090-3040}{2000-1960}=\frac{3050}{40}=76.25$

Average of the slope is: localid="1648768353391" $\frac{29.5+76.25}{2}=52.875$.

The rate of population growth in 1920 and in 2000 is 52.875.