Question

The number of nations participating in the Winter Games competition has been increasing over the

years, as shown in the table Use linear regression to find a linear function that can be used to predict the
number of nations participating x years after 1988. Then predict those years in which more than 100
nations will participate in the games
What is the linear function that can be used for prediction?
Year
1988
1992
1995
1998
2002
2006
Number of Nations
51
58
61
66
71
74

Answer 1

Explanation:

o find a linear function that can be used to predict the number of nations participating x years after 1988, we can use linear regression analysis. Using a spreadsheet program or calculator with linear regression capabilities, we obtain:

y = 1.9632x + 51.3276

where y is the predicted number of nations participating and x is the number of years after 1988.

To predict those years in which more than 100 nations will participate, we can substitute y = 100 into the linear function and solve for x:

100 = 1.9632x + 51.3276

48.6724 = 1.9632x

x ≈ 24.8

Therefore, more than 100 nations will participate in the Winter Games approximately 24.8 years after 1988, or in the year 2013.