Math: Problem Solving and Data Analysis

SAT Question of the Day for October 28, 2026

In a town, the population increased by 14%14\% from 2018 to 2020, reaching 23,37023{,}370 residents. Which of the following is closest to the population of the town in 2018?
  1. A.20,10020{,}100
  2. B.20,50020{,}500Correct answer
  3. C.20,89820{,}898
  4. D.26,64226{,}642

Explanation

Let PP be the 2018 population. After a 14%14\% increase, the population is 1.14P=23,3701.14P = 23{,}370. Solving gives P=23,3701.14≈20,500P = \frac{23{,}370}{1.14} \approx 20{,}500. The distractor 20,10020{,}100 results from an arithmetic rounding error in the division. The distractor 20,89820{,}898 comes from subtracting 14%14\% of 23,37023{,}370 from 23,37023{,}370 (applying the percentage to the final value rather than dividing by 1.141.14): 0.14×23,370=3,271.80.14 \times 23{,}370 = 3{,}271.8, yielding approximately 20,09820{,}098, which is then misrecorded as 20,89820{,}898 through a digit transposition. The distractor 26,64226{,}642 results from adding 14%14\% of 23,37023{,}370 to 23,37023{,}370, treating the known value as the base for a further increase.

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