a. find the slope of the secant line from x_1 = 0 to x_2 = 4.\nthe slope of the secant line is 146 (round to…

Explanation:

Step1: Recall slope - secant line formula

The slope $m$ of the secant line between two points $(x_1,y_1)$ and $(x_2,y_2)$ is given by $m=\frac{y_2 - y_1}{x_2 - x_1}$. Here, $x_1 = 0$ and $x_2=4$. But since no information about $y$ - values is given in the problem - statement for part (a), we assume the general form. If we consider the change in $y$ as $\Delta y$ and change in $x$ as $\Delta x$, then $\Delta x=x_2 - x_1=4 - 0 = 4$. However, since the slope value of 146 is already provided in the image for part (a), we use it for part (b).

Step2: Compare with actual average

The actual average yearly increase from 1994 to 1998 was 140.1. The slope from part (a) is 146. To find the difference, we subtract the actual value from the slope value: $146-140.1 = 5.9$. Since $146>140.1$, the slope from part (a) overestimates the actual average yearly increase.

Answer:

The slope from part (a) overestimates the actual average yearly increase by 5.9.