Chapter 5.1, Problem 26E

High School Graduates The following table shows the number, in millions, graduating from high school in the United States in the given year. Year Number graduating in millions 1985 2.83 1987 2.65 1989 2.47 1991 2.29 a. By calculating difference, show that these data can be modeled using a linear function. b. What is the slope for the linear function modeling high school graduations? Explain in practical terms the meaning of the slope. c. Find a formula for a linear function that models these data. d. Express, using functional notation, the number graduating from high school in 1994, and then use your formula from part c to calculate that value.

Use a calculator to help solve each problem. Free-falling objects After t seconds, a certain falling object has a velocity v given by vt=501-e-0.3t. Which is falling faster after 2 seconds, this object or the skydiver in Exercise 38? 38. Sky diving Before the parachute opens, the velocity v in meters per second of a skydiver is given by vt=501-e-0.2t. Find the initial velocity.

The half-life of plutonium-244 is 80,000,000 years. Find function gives the amount of carbon-14 remaining as a function of time, measured in years.

Find the unknown value. 27. y varies jointly with x and the cube root of 2. If when x=2 and z=27,y=12, find y if x=5 and z=8.