Question

Small college has 2523 students in 1994 and 2891 students in 1996 if the enrollment follows a linear growth pattern how many students should the college have in 2006?

Answer 1

Since it is specified that the relationship is linear, you could think of a linear graph for this. The base year would be 1994. The first point is at (0,2523) while the second point is (2,2891). The slope would be

m = (2891 - 2523)/(2-0) = 184

The slope-intercept form is y = mx + b. Let's substitute (0,2523) to the equation such that
2523 = 184(0)+b
b = 2523

Hence, the equation of the linear graph is y = 184x + 2523. Now, at 2006, x = 2006 - 1994 = 12 years.

y = 184(12) + 2523 = 4,731 students