The population of a town increases by 5% every year. If the present population of the town is 282240, then what was the population of the town 2 years ago?

Let's assume the population of the town 2 years ago was 'y'.

The population of a town increases by 5% every year. If the present population of the town is 282240.

y of (100+5)% of (100+5)% = 282240

y of 105% of 105% = 282240

$$y\times\frac{105}{100}\times\frac{105}{100}=282240$$

$$y\times\frac{21}{20}\times\frac{21}{20}=282240$$

$$y\times\frac{441}{400}=282240$$

$$y=282240\times\frac{400}{441}$$

$$y=640\times400$$

the population of the town 2 years ago = y = 256000