Problema Solution

In 1994, the life expectancy of males in a certain country was 72.2 years. In 1998, it was 76.1. Let E represent the life expectancy in year t and let t represent the number of years since 1994.

The linear function E(t) that fit the data is

E(t) = __t +___ (round to the nearest tenth)

Use the function to predict the life expectancy of males in 2003.

E(9) = ____ (round to the nearest tenth)

Answer provided by our tutors

E(t) = a*t + b,


where a and b are the constants that we need to find


since E(0) = 72.2 we have


a*0 + b = 72.2


b = 72.2


since E(4) = 76.1 we have


4a + b = 76.1


4a + 72.2 = 76.1


4a = 76.1 - 72.2


4a = 3.9


a = 3.9/4


a = 0.975


The linear function E(t) that fit the data is

E(t) = 0.98t + 72.2 (round to the nearest tenth)


for the year of 2003 we have t = 2003 - 1994 = 9


E(9) = 0.98*9 + 72.2


E(9) = 81