Sure, let's work through the problem step-by-step:
1. Identify the initial and projected populations:
- The population in 2015 is 321 million.
- The projected population in 2050 is 438 million.
2. Calculate the population increase:
[tex]\[
\text{Population increase} = \text{Population in 2050} - \text{Population in 2015}
\][/tex]
- Substitute the given values:
[tex]\[
\text{Population increase} = 438 \text{ million} - 321 \text{ million} = 117 \text{ million}
\][/tex]
3. Calculate the percentage increase:
[tex]\[
\text{Percentage increase} = \left( \frac{\text{Population increase}}{\text{Population in 2015}} \right) \times 100
\][/tex]
- Substitute the population increase and the initial population:
[tex]\[
\text{Percentage increase} = \left( \frac{117}{321} \right) \times 100
\][/tex]
4. Compute the exact percentage increase:
[tex]\[
\text{Percentage increase} \approx 36.44859813084112\%
\][/tex]
5. Round the percentage increase to the nearest whole number:
[tex]\[
\text{Percentage increase (rounded)} = 36\%
\][/tex]
So, if projections are true, the US population will increase by 36% from 2015 to 2050.
