Question: The population of Mojave was 4000 a decade ago. If the town's population has increased three times, and the population analysis firm predicts that it will increase by 40% after five years, how many people will be in Mojave in five years? Think carefully first, then make a decision:
Since the population of Mojave has increased three times the number it was a decade ago, there are 3 * 4000 = 12000 people in Mojave now. It's predicted that the population will increase by 40 / 100 * 12000 = 4800 people after five years. This means there will be 12000 + 4800 = 16800 people living in Mojave in five years. So the answer is 16800.