Problem 81 - Fundamentals of Mathematics

Question

The 1980 population of Singapore was 2,414,000 and the 1980 population of Sri Lanka was 14,850,000 . How many more people lived in Sri Lanka than in Singapore in \(1980 ?\)

Step-by-Step Solution

Answer

Sri Lanka had 12,436,000 more people than Singapore in 1980.

Step 1: Understand the Problem

We need to find out how many more people lived in Sri Lanka than in Singapore in 1980. This involves determining the difference between the populations of the two countries.

Step 2: Identify the Populations

The problem states that the population of Singapore in 1980 was 2,414,000 and the population of Sri Lanka was 14,850,000.

Step 3: Set Up the Subtraction Equation

To find out how many more people lived in Sri Lanka, we need to subtract the population of Singapore from the population of Sri Lanka. This can be written as: \[ \text{Difference} = \text{Population of Sri Lanka} - \text{Population of Singapore} \] Substituting the given values, we have:\[ \text{Difference} = 14,850,000 - 2,414,000 \]

Step 4: Perform the Subtraction

Calculate the difference by subtracting 2,414,000 from 14,850,000:\[ 14,850,000 - 2,414,000 = 12,436,000 \] Thus, there were 12,436,000 more people living in Sri Lanka than in Singapore in 1980.

Key Concepts

Subtraction

Subtraction is a fundamental arithmetic operation that helps us find the difference between two numbers. In the context of population comparison, it tells us how many more people live in one place than another.

To subtract, you align the numbers by their place value. You start from the rightmost digit, subtracting each pair of digits. If a digit in the subtrahend (the number being subtracted) is larger than the corresponding digit in the minuend (the number you're subtracting from), you may need to "borrow" from the next higher digit in the minuend.

• For example, with two numbers, 14,850,000 (Sri Lanka) and 2,414,000 (Singapore), you place them one below the other and perform the subtraction digit by digit.

This process will help you determine how many more people lived in Sri Lanka than in Singapore in 1980.

Problem Solving

Effective problem solving entails a few essential steps: understanding the problem, identifying needed information, forming a strategy, and carrying out the calculations.

In our exercise, the **main task** was to determine the difference in population between two countries in a specific year.

• Firstly, understand the specific question: "How many more people lived in Sri Lanka than in Singapore?"
• Identify the relevant data, which are the populations given for each country.
• Formulate how to solve it by setting up the appropriate subtraction equation.

Ensuring accuracy in each of these steps contributes to effective problem solving.

Once you've set up the equation and performed the calculations, reviewing the entire process can prevent errors and ensure that the solution makes sense logically.

Singapore Population

Singapore, known for its impressive economic growth and dense urban population, had a population of 2,414,000 in 1980.

Understanding the population figures of a particular time can give us insight into historical population growth and the factors that may influence these changes over time.

• Factors such as immigration, economic opportunities, and birth rates contribute to changes in population size.

For example, Singapore's strategic location and economic development have historically attracted many people, contributing to its rising population numbers.

Knowing the population can help us compare with other regions, enabling deduction of demographic and economic growth patterns.

Sri Lanka Population

In 1980, Sri Lanka had a significantly larger population than Singapore, with 14,850,000 people.

This number can reflect various demographic and societal factors, such as birth rates and historical events that affected migration and demographic trends.

• Sri Lanka's geographic size and historical context as a significant spot in the Indian Ocean also played a role in these numbers.

Comparing these figures to countries like Singapore helps us in understanding regional dynamics and diversity within population data.

Analyzing the population numbers also provides a basis for exploring further demographic trends in the years that followed.