The population of a city is 645 people less than it was 5 years ago. The current population is 13,500. What is the population 5 years ago?

Let the total population of the city 5 years ago = x

The current population of the city is given as = 13500

As the current population is 645 less than it was 5 years ago, so the equation becomes-

x - 645 = 13500

x = 13500 + 645

x = 14145

So, the total population of the city 5 years back was 14145.