Question

Computer usage has increased over time. But has the increase been more linear or more exponential? In 1997, 22.2% of the population over three years of age, or about 60 million people, used the internet. In 1998, 32.7% of the population over three years of age, or about 90 million people, used the internet.

a. If the usage increased linearly, write the linear function that would give 60 million people in year 0 and 90 million in year 1.

Answer 1

That's an increase of 30,000,000 people in one year, a slope of 30 million and a good year for the internet.

If t is the year, and p is number of internet users,

p = 30000000(t - 1997) + 60000000

Answer: p = 30000000(t - 1997) + 60000000

As for linear versus exponential, one year of data can't really distinguish.