Moderate -0.8 This is a straightforward exponential growth question requiring only two steps: find the growth rate from the given data points (using P = P₀e^(kt)), then apply it to find the 2049 population. It's simpler than average A-level questions as it's purely procedural with no conceptual challenges, though the exponential context makes it slightly less trivial than basic arithmetic.
The population of a country was 3.6 million in 1989.
It grew exponentially to reach 6 million in 2019.
Estimate the population of the country in 2049 if the exponential growth continues unchanged.
[2 marks]
Question 7:
7 | Multiplies by ratio of populations in
1989 and 2019 | 3.1b | M1 | 6 million × 6 million
3.6 million
= 10 million
Obtains correct estimated population | 1.1b | A1
Total | 2
Q | Marking Instructions | AO | Marks | Typical solution
The population of a country was 3.6 million in 1989.
It grew exponentially to reach 6 million in 2019.
Estimate the population of the country in 2049 if the exponential growth continues unchanged.
[2 marks]
\hfill \mbox{\textit{AQA AS Paper 2 2020 Q7 [2]}}