Answer:
The best prediction for the population in year 25 is [tex]41,876\ people[/tex]
Step-by-step explanation:
we have a exponential function of the form
[tex]y=a(b^{x})[/tex]
where
a is the initial value
b is the base
In this problem
[tex]a=20,000\ people[/tex]
[tex]b=1.03[/tex]
[tex]b=1+r[/tex]
[tex]r=b-1=1.03-1=0.03[/tex]
[tex]r=3\%[/tex]
so
[tex]y=20,000(1.03^{x})[/tex]
For [tex]x=25\ years[/tex]
substitute
[tex]y=20,000(1.03^{25})[/tex]
[tex]y=41,875.56\ people[/tex]
Round up
[tex]y=41,876\ people[/tex]
