Answer:
Alternative A:
y the population of the city
x the time in years since the years 2000
b = the population in the year 2000
a = the growth rate
Step-by-step explanation:
y is the dependent variable and represents the output of the equation.
x is the independent variable and represents the inputs.
Since the exercise asks for changes in population with the time after 2000, the time after 2000 is the independent variable and the population is the dependent.
Also,
for a equation represented as y = ax + b,
a is the slope of the equation and represents the rate of increase of the variable y.
b is the y-intercept (point (0,b)).
So, from the alternatives, A is correct.