Answer:
a. 13 years
b. 27950 students
Step-by-step explanation:
Let x be the number of years since the initial year 2005. In 2005, [tex]x = 0[/tex], in 2006, [tex]x = 1[/tex], and so on.
For college "A" the number of students is given by the function:
[tex]NSA = 18200 + 750x[/tex]
For college "B" the number of students is given by the function:
[tex]NSB = 34450 - 500x[/tex]
Matching these expressions you have the value of x for which the two colleges have the same number of students.
[tex]NSA = 18200 + 750x = 34450 - 500x = NSB\\\\750x + 500x = 34450 - 18200\\\\1250x = 16250\\\\x = 16250/1250 = 13[/tex]
Then, the two colleges will have the same number of students 13 years later, that is, in 2018.
The number of students that each colleges will have in 2018 will be [tex]NSA = NSB = 18200 + 750 (13) = 27950[/tex] students.