Verified answer

The increase in 2 years is 3752-3254=498. Because of linearity, this means 249 per year.

Therefore in 2006, the number of students in 2006 is 3752+249=4001.

let the x be the year and y be the number of students.

x y

2003 3254

2005 3752

2006 ?

m=(y2-y1)/(x2-x1) =====> formula for the slope

m=(3752-3254)/(2005-2003)

m=498/2

m=249

b=y-mx =====> formula for the y-intercept

b=3254-249(2003) =====> substitute any of the given points for x and y. Here, I use the first point.

b=3254-498747

b= -495493

y=mx+b =====>linear equation slope-intercept form

y=249x+(-495493) =====>substitute the slope (m) and the y-intercept (b)

y=249(2006)-495493 =====>substitute 2006 (x) to solve for the number of students (y) for the said year.

y=499494-495493

y=4001 =====> answer!