Population Projection Equations
Environmental Engineering · FE Reference Handbook section
Core formulas for this FE topic
Definitions, applicability, units, assumptions and worked examples for each relation.
Worked exam-style examples
The four ways this section is written on the real exam — thoughts first, then equations, then substitution.
population projection for a city's water treatment plant design year Given initial population (P_0) = 316,100; growth rate constant (k) = 0.0190 1/yr; time (t) = 29.0000 yr, determine the projected population (P_t).
Given
Find
projected population (P_t)
Start with the thinking
- The governing relation printed in this handbook section is Population Projection Equations.
- Everything except P_t is given, so isolate P_t symbolically first — never rearrange after the numbers are in.
- Tabulate each given with its unit and confirm the units are consistent with the relation before substituting.
- Population projection equations use exponential growth to forecast future service population for water and wastewater planning.
Figure 1 — schematic for Population Projection Equations — solve for projected population — Population Projection Equations
Step-by-step solution
Step 1 — State the governing relation:
Step 2 — Rearrange symbolically for P_t:
Step 3 — List the givens: initial population (P_0) = 316,100, growth rate constant (k) = 0.0190 1/yr, time (t) = 29.0000 yr.
Step 4 — Substitute the given values:
Step 5 — Evaluate:
Step 6 — Check: returning P_t = 548,429 to
reproduces the given quantities, and both sides carry the same units.
Why the other options are there
- 1,096,859 — kept a factor of two that cancels in the correct rearrangement.
- 274,215 — dropped that same factor in the other direction.
- 603,272 — rounded an intermediate value before the final step.
Reference: FE Handbook — Population Projection Equations
exponential population projection equation for a service area Given growth rate constant (k) = 0.0440 1/yr; time (t) = 31.0000 yr; projected population (P_t) = 1,294,109, determine the initial population (P_0).
Given
Find
initial population (P_0)
Start with the thinking
- The governing relation printed in this handbook section is Population Projection Equations.
- Everything except P_0 is given, so isolate P_0 symbolically first — never rearrange after the numbers are in.
- Tabulate each given with its unit and confirm the units are consistent with the relation before substituting.
- Population projection equations use exponential growth to forecast future service population for water and wastewater planning.
Figure 2 — schematic for Population Projection Equations — solve for initial population — Population Projection Equations (2)
Step-by-step solution
Step 1 — State the governing relation:
Step 2 — Rearrange symbolically for P_0:
Step 3 — List the givens: growth rate constant (k) = 0.0440 1/yr, time (t) = 31.0000 yr, projected population (P_t) = 1,294,109.
Step 4 — Substitute the given values:
Step 5 — Evaluate:
Step 6 — Check: returning P_0 = 330,821 to
reproduces the given quantities, and both sides carry the same units.
Why the other options are there
- 661,642 — kept a factor of two that cancels in the correct rearrangement.
- 165,411 — dropped that same factor in the other direction.
- 363,903 — rounded an intermediate value before the final step.
Reference: FE Handbook — Population Projection Equations
population projection used to size a future wastewater treatment facility Given initial population (P_0) = 306,500; time (t) = 27.0000 yr; projected population (P_t) = 2,985,227, determine the growth rate constant (k) in 1/yr.
Given
Find
growth rate constant (k), in 1/yr
Start with the thinking
- The governing relation printed in this handbook section is Population Projection Equations.
- Everything except k is given, so isolate k symbolically first — never rearrange after the numbers are in.
- Tabulate each given with its unit and confirm the units are consistent with the relation before substituting.
- Population projection equations use exponential growth to forecast future service population for water and wastewater planning.
Figure 3 — schematic for Population Projection Equations — solve for growth rate constant — Population Projection Equations (3)
Step-by-step solution
Step 1 — State the governing relation:
Step 2 — Rearrange symbolically for k:
Step 3 — List the givens: initial population (P_0) = 306,500, time (t) = 27.0000 yr, projected population (P_t) = 2,985,227.
Step 4 — Substitute the given values:
Step 5 — Evaluate:
Step 6 — Check: returning k = 0.0843 1/yr to
reproduces the given quantities, and both sides carry the same units.
Why the other options are there
- 0.1686 — kept a factor of two that cancels in the correct rearrangement.
- 0.0422 — dropped that same factor in the other direction.
- 0.0927 — rounded an intermediate value before the final step.
Reference: FE Handbook — Population Projection Equations
population projection for a city's water treatment plant design year Given initial population (P_0) = 145,300; growth rate constant (k) = 0.0270 1/yr; time (t) = 14.0000 yr, determine the projected population (P_t).
Given
Find
projected population (P_t)
Start with the thinking
- The governing relation printed in this handbook section is Population Projection Equations.
- Everything except P_t is given, so isolate P_t symbolically first — never rearrange after the numbers are in.
- Tabulate each given with its unit and confirm the units are consistent with the relation before substituting.
- Population projection equations use exponential growth to forecast future service population for water and wastewater planning.
Figure 4 — schematic for Population Projection Equations — solve for projected population (case 2) — Population Projection Equations (4)
Step-by-step solution
Step 1 — State the governing relation:
Step 2 — Rearrange symbolically for P_t:
Step 3 — List the givens: initial population (P_0) = 145,300, growth rate constant (k) = 0.0270 1/yr, time (t) = 14.0000 yr.
Step 4 — Substitute the given values:
Step 5 — Evaluate:
Step 6 — Check: returning P_t = 212,045 to
reproduces the given quantities, and both sides carry the same units.
Why the other options are there
- 424,091 — kept a factor of two that cancels in the correct rearrangement.
- 106,023 — dropped that same factor in the other direction.
- 233,250 — rounded an intermediate value before the final step.
Reference: FE Handbook — Population Projection Equations
exponential population projection equation for a service area Given growth rate constant (k) = 0.0210 1/yr; time (t) = 7.0000 yr; projected population (P_t) = 989,571, determine the initial population (P_0).
Given
Find
initial population (P_0)
Start with the thinking
- The governing relation printed in this handbook section is Population Projection Equations.
- Everything except P_0 is given, so isolate P_0 symbolically first — never rearrange after the numbers are in.
- Tabulate each given with its unit and confirm the units are consistent with the relation before substituting.
- Population projection equations use exponential growth to forecast future service population for water and wastewater planning.
Figure 5 — schematic for Population Projection Equations — solve for initial population (case 2) — Population Projection Equations (5)
Step-by-step solution
Step 1 — State the governing relation:
Step 2 — Rearrange symbolically for P_0:
Step 3 — List the givens: growth rate constant (k) = 0.0210 1/yr, time (t) = 7.0000 yr, projected population (P_t) = 989,571.
Step 4 — Substitute the given values:
Step 5 — Evaluate:
Step 6 — Check: returning P_0 = 854,291 to
reproduces the given quantities, and both sides carry the same units.
Why the other options are there
- 1,708,581 — kept a factor of two that cancels in the correct rearrangement.
- 427,145 — dropped that same factor in the other direction.
- 939,720 — rounded an intermediate value before the final step.
Reference: FE Handbook — Population Projection Equations
population projection used to size a future wastewater treatment facility Given initial population (P_0) = 214,700; time (t) = 31.0000 yr; projected population (P_t) = 375,518, determine the growth rate constant (k) in 1/yr.
Given
Find
growth rate constant (k), in 1/yr
Start with the thinking
- The governing relation printed in this handbook section is Population Projection Equations.
- Everything except k is given, so isolate k symbolically first — never rearrange after the numbers are in.
- Tabulate each given with its unit and confirm the units are consistent with the relation before substituting.
- Population projection equations use exponential growth to forecast future service population for water and wastewater planning.
Figure 6 — schematic for Population Projection Equations — solve for growth rate constant (case 2) — Population Projection Equations (6)
Step-by-step solution
Step 1 — State the governing relation:
Step 2 — Rearrange symbolically for k:
Step 3 — List the givens: initial population (P_0) = 214,700, time (t) = 31.0000 yr, projected population (P_t) = 375,518.
Step 4 — Substitute the given values:
Step 5 — Evaluate:
Step 6 — Check: returning k = 0.0180 1/yr to
reproduces the given quantities, and both sides carry the same units.
Why the other options are there
- 0.0361 — kept a factor of two that cancels in the correct rearrangement.
- 0.0090 — dropped that same factor in the other direction.
- 0.0198 — rounded an intermediate value before the final step.
Reference: FE Handbook — Population Projection Equations
population projection for a city's water treatment plant design year Given initial population (P_0) = 367,200; growth rate constant (k) = 0.0460 1/yr; time (t) = 16.0000 yr, determine the projected population (P_t).
Given
Find
projected population (P_t)
Start with the thinking
- The governing relation printed in this handbook section is Population Projection Equations.
- Everything except P_t is given, so isolate P_t symbolically first — never rearrange after the numbers are in.
- Tabulate each given with its unit and confirm the units are consistent with the relation before substituting.
- Population projection equations use exponential growth to forecast future service population for water and wastewater planning.
Figure 7 — schematic for Population Projection Equations — solve for projected population (case 3) — Population Projection Equations (7)
Step-by-step solution
Step 1 — State the governing relation:
Step 2 — Rearrange symbolically for P_t:
Step 3 — List the givens: initial population (P_0) = 367,200, growth rate constant (k) = 0.0460 1/yr, time (t) = 16.0000 yr.
Step 4 — Substitute the given values:
Step 5 — Evaluate:
Step 6 — Check: returning P_t = 766,555 to
reproduces the given quantities, and both sides carry the same units.
Why the other options are there
- 1,533,110 — kept a factor of two that cancels in the correct rearrangement.
- 383,278 — dropped that same factor in the other direction.
- 843,211 — rounded an intermediate value before the final step.
Reference: FE Handbook — Population Projection Equations
exponential population projection equation for a service area Given growth rate constant (k) = 0.0140 1/yr; time (t) = 23.0000 yr; projected population (P_t) = 2,760,134, determine the initial population (P_0).
Given
Find
initial population (P_0)
Start with the thinking
- The governing relation printed in this handbook section is Population Projection Equations.
- Everything except P_0 is given, so isolate P_0 symbolically first — never rearrange after the numbers are in.
- Tabulate each given with its unit and confirm the units are consistent with the relation before substituting.
- Population projection equations use exponential growth to forecast future service population for water and wastewater planning.
Figure 8 — schematic for Population Projection Equations — solve for initial population (case 3) — Population Projection Equations (8)
Step-by-step solution
Step 1 — State the governing relation:
Step 2 — Rearrange symbolically for P_0:
Step 3 — List the givens: growth rate constant (k) = 0.0140 1/yr, time (t) = 23.0000 yr, projected population (P_t) = 2,760,134.
Step 4 — Substitute the given values:
Step 5 — Evaluate:
Step 6 — Check: returning P_0 = 2,000,264 to
reproduces the given quantities, and both sides carry the same units.
Why the other options are there
- 4,000,528 — kept a factor of two that cancels in the correct rearrangement.
- 1,000,132 — dropped that same factor in the other direction.
- 2,200,291 — rounded an intermediate value before the final step.
Reference: FE Handbook — Population Projection Equations
population projection used to size a future wastewater treatment facility Given initial population (P_0) = 419,700; time (t) = 1.0000 yr; projected population (P_t) = 1,647,525, determine the growth rate constant (k) in 1/yr.
Given
Find
growth rate constant (k), in 1/yr
Start with the thinking
- The governing relation printed in this handbook section is Population Projection Equations.
- Everything except k is given, so isolate k symbolically first — never rearrange after the numbers are in.
- Tabulate each given with its unit and confirm the units are consistent with the relation before substituting.
- Population projection equations use exponential growth to forecast future service population for water and wastewater planning.
Figure 9 — schematic for Population Projection Equations — solve for growth rate constant (case 3) — Population Projection Equations (9)
Step-by-step solution
Step 1 — State the governing relation:
Step 2 — Rearrange symbolically for k:
Step 3 — List the givens: initial population (P_0) = 419,700, time (t) = 1.0000 yr, projected population (P_t) = 1,647,525.
Step 4 — Substitute the given values:
Step 5 — Evaluate:
Step 6 — Check: returning k = 1.3675 1/yr to
reproduces the given quantities, and both sides carry the same units.
Why the other options are there
- 2.7350 — kept a factor of two that cancels in the correct rearrangement.
- 0.6837 — dropped that same factor in the other direction.
- 1.5042 — rounded an intermediate value before the final step.
Reference: FE Handbook — Population Projection Equations
population projection for a city's water treatment plant design year Given initial population (P_0) = 371,300; growth rate constant (k) = 0.0110 1/yr; time (t) = 35.0000 yr, determine the projected population (P_t).
Given
Find
projected population (P_t)
Start with the thinking
- The governing relation printed in this handbook section is Population Projection Equations.
- Everything except P_t is given, so isolate P_t symbolically first — never rearrange after the numbers are in.
- Tabulate each given with its unit and confirm the units are consistent with the relation before substituting.
- Population projection equations use exponential growth to forecast future service population for water and wastewater planning.
Figure 10 — schematic for Population Projection Equations — solve for projected population (case 4) — Population Projection Equations (10)
Step-by-step solution
Step 1 — State the governing relation:
Step 2 — Rearrange symbolically for P_t:
Step 3 — List the givens: initial population (P_0) = 371,300, growth rate constant (k) = 0.0110 1/yr, time (t) = 35.0000 yr.
Step 4 — Substitute the given values:
Step 5 — Evaluate:
Step 6 — Check: returning P_t = 545,668 to
reproduces the given quantities, and both sides carry the same units.
Why the other options are there
- 1,091,336 — kept a factor of two that cancels in the correct rearrangement.
- 272,834 — dropped that same factor in the other direction.
- 600,235 — rounded an intermediate value before the final step.
Reference: FE Handbook — Population Projection Equations