American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) Practice Exam

Which method uses rate of growth to estimate current or future population?

1. Symptomatic Method

2. Cohort Survival Method

3. Linear Method

4. Ratio Method

The correct answer is: Linear Method

The Linear Method is appropriate for estimating current or future population using the rate of growth, as it assumes a constant growth rate over time. This means that if you know the population size at a certain point in the past and understand the growth rate, you can project future populations by adding the same amount of growth for each subsequent time period. This method is mathematically straightforward and is useful for projecting population numbers when the growth rate is consistent. In contrast, the Cohort Survival Method estimates future populations based on specific age cohorts and survival rates over time, which can be more complex and requires detailed demographic data. The Symptomatic Method typically focuses on analyzing current conditions rather than projecting future growth, while the Ratio Method involves comparing different demographic ratios without directly measuring population growth rates. Thus, the Linear Method stands out for its direct and simple approach to using growth rates for population estimation.