Question

The number of prisoners held in federal and state prisons, measured in thousands, can be described by the polynomial - 2.02X² + 78.39x + 750. The variable x represents the number of years since 1990. Estimate the number of prisoners in 1990.

Answer 1

$-2.02x^2+78.39x+750$

the years until 1990 would be 0

then replace x=0

$\begin{gathered} 2.02(0)^2+78.39(0)+750 \\ 0+0+750 \\ =750 \end{gathered}$

in thousands 750 is 750,000

then the number of prisioners is 1990 was 750,000