A city's population grew from 120,000 to 138,000 people in one year. What is the percent increase in population?

• A. 0.15%
• B. 15%
• C. 13%
• D. 0.13%

Answer: (B)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Identify the initial population and the new population. Here, the initial population is 120,000 and the new population is 138,000.
2. Calculate the absolute increase in population by subtracting the initial population from the new population: \(\text{Increase} = 138,000 - 120,000\).
3. Find the percent increase by dividing the increase by the initial population: \(\frac{\text{Increase}}{120,000}\).
4. Convert the fraction to a percentage by multiplying the result by 100: \(\left( \frac{\text{Increase}}{120,000} \right) \times 100\).
5. Interpret the result as the percent increase in population over the year.