Decrease in population from 1990 to 2000 was 14.2 - 12.4 = 1.8
Number of years = 2000 - 1990 = 10
[tex]Decrease ratio = \frac{1.8}{10}= 0.18[/tex]
Since the population is decreasing, decreasing factor = - 0.18.
Hence, the linear model of the situation is P = 14.2 - 0.18t.
Check:
If t = 10, then
P = 14.2 - 0.18(10)
= 14.2 - 1.8
= 12.4