A small college opened in 1999. In the linear model below, x represents the number of years after 1999, and y represents the student population. Interpret the slope.
y = 576 + 173x
Answer choices are:::
A: An additional year of the college being open is associated with an additional 576 students.
B: An additional year of the college being open is associated with an additional 403 students.
C:An additional year of the college being open is associated with an additional 173 students.
D:An additional year of the college being open is associated with an additional 749 students.
C is correct
The correct interpretation of the slope in the given linear model y = 576 + 173x is:
C: An additional year of the college being open is associated with an additional 173 students.
To interpret the slope of the linear model, we need to understand what it represents in the context of the problem.
In the given linear model y = 576 + 173x, the coefficient of the x-term, which is 173, represents the slope.
The slope tells us how the student population (y) changes for each additional year (x) after 1999.
Interpreting the slope in this case, we can conclude that "An additional year of the college being open is associated with an additional 173 students."
Therefore, the correct answer choice is C: An additional year of the college being open is associated with an additional 173 students.