We can find the average rate of change of change using the following expression:
![m=(y_2-y_1)/(x_2-x_1)](https://img.qammunity.org/2023/formulas/mathematics/high-school/78uaqhwt0aws3qfwxigaftpihnmb1gzxtp.png)
for the period betwen 1999 and 2002, we have the following:
![\begin{gathered} m=(1483-1336)/(2002-1999)=(147)/(3)=49 \\ \Rightarrow m=49 \end{gathered}](https://img.qammunity.org/2023/formulas/mathematics/high-school/hczp7bhqblbcjot2qeza4mpnvowo5zljeg.png)
therefore, the average rate of change of population between 1999 and 2000 is 49.
Next, we do the same for the period between 2001 to 2005:
![\begin{gathered} m=(801-1591)/(2005-2001)=-(790)/(4)=-197.5 \\ \Rightarrow m=-197.5 \end{gathered}](https://img.qammunity.org/2023/formulas/mathematics/high-school/h9fyiic6xvo6hlojt8zh300jize1tdprtz.png)
thus, the average rate of change of population between 2001 and 2005 is 197.5
Finally, notice that the population increased from 1997 to 2001, while it decreased from 2002, to 2006