Answer: the prison population in 1990 was 745
Step-by-step explanation:
The polynomial equation representing the number of prisoners held at the federal and state prisons since 1990 is expressed as
- 2.07x² - 78.39x + 745
If x represent the number of years since 1990, then
In 1990, x = 0 year
In 1991, x = 1 year
In 1992, x = 2 years
It continues in that sequence.
Therefore, the prison population in 1990 would be
- 2.07(0)² - 78.39(0) + 745
= 0 - 0 + 745 = 745
