Can someone help me with this

1987

Step-by-step explanation:

If we consider x years after 1980, when the number of prisoners, P, in thousands, is given by  

P = 2x² + 22x + 322 (1)

Now, If the population of U.S. prisoners was approximately 574 thousand people, then we have to find the year of this situation.

Now, from equation (1), we get

574 = 2x² + 22x + 322

⇒ 2x² + 22x - 252 = 0

⇒ x² + 11x - 126 = 0

⇒ x² + 18x - 7x - 126 = 0

⇒ (x + 18) ( x - 7) = 0

⇒ x = 7  

As x can not be negative so we neglect the x = - 18 value.

So, in the year 1987, the number of U.S. prisoners became approximately 574 thousand people. (Answer)