Every five years in march, the population of a certain town is recorded. In 1995,the town had a population of 4,500 people. From 1995 to 200, the population increased by 15%. From 2000 to 2005,the population decrease d by 4%. What was the town's population in 2005?

From 2000 to 2005,the population decrease d by 4%. What was the town's population in 2005?
The first thing we want to look at is that from 1995 to 2000, the population increased by 15% (from 4,500.) So that means we multiply 4,500 times 15% to get 15% of 4,500.
.15*4,500=675 (.15 is the same thing as 15%)
So we see it increased by 675.
4,500+675=5175
So in 2000, there were 5,175 people
So now we do the same thing for 2000 to 2005. 
The population has decreased by 4% (or .04)
Now to see what 4% of 5,175 is we multiply is by 4% 
.04*5175=207
So now if it has decreased by 207 (4% of the population in 2000)
Now we subtract that number from the population in 2000
5175-207=4968
In 2005 there are 4968 people.