A town's population is 14,280, and it is increasing by 160 people every year. A nearby town has a population of 24,000, and it is decreasing by 200 every year. In about how many years will the populations of the towns be equal. (please just write the number)

27 years

Step-by-step explanation:

Given that :

Town A:

Initial population = 14280

Rate = increase by 160 per year

Let t = time in years

Population is thus :

14280 + 160t - - - (1)

Town B:

Initial population = 24000

Rate = decrease by 200 per year

P = 24000 - 200t - - - (2)

Equate both equations :

14280 + 160t = 24000 - 200t

160t + 200t = 24000 - 14280

360t = 9720

t = 9720 / 360

t = 27

In 27 years