For this case we have the following equation of the potential type:
y = A (b) ^ t
Where,
y: number of people with cell phones
A: initial number of people with cell phones
b: growth rate
t: time
Substituting values:
y = 275 * (1.82) ^ t
For the year 2000 we have t = 8.
Substituting:
y = 275 * (1.82) ^ 8
y = 33105.77794
nearest whole integer:
y = 33105
Answer:
there were 33105 cellphone users in 2000