Solution:
Given:
[tex]\begin{gathered} P_o=1627 \\ r=6.8\text{ \%}=\frac{6.8}{100}=0.068 \end{gathered}[/tex]The equation of the population can be gotten using the formula;
[tex]P=P_oe^{rt}[/tex]Hence, the equation is:
[tex]P=1627e^{0.068t}[/tex]The population of the town 8.5years from now will be:
[tex]\begin{gathered} when\text{ }t=8.5years \\ \\ Then, \\ P=1627e^{0.068\times8.5} \\ P=1627e^{0.578} \\ P=2900.08 \\ \\ Since\text{ the population must be a whole number,} \\ P=2900 \end{gathered}[/tex]