June 2024 Paper 2 Q13

EdexcelCurrent spec9 marksLogs & ExponentialsModelling

13. The world human population, \(P\) billions, is modelled by the equation

\[P = ab^t\]

where \(a\) and \(b\) are constants and \(t\) is the number of years after 2004

Using the estimated population figures for the years from 2004 to 2007, a graph is plotted of \(\log_{10}P\) against \(t\).

The points lie approximately on a straight line with

  • gradient 0.0054
  • intercept 0.81 on the \(\log_{10}P\) axis
(a) Estimate, to 3 decimal places, the value of \(a\) and the value of \(b\). (4)

In the context of the model,

(b)
(i) interpret the value of the constant \(a\),
(ii) interpret the value of the constant \(b\). (2)
(c) Use the model to estimate the world human population in 2030 (2)
(d) Comment on the reliability of the answer to part (c). (1)