You can make predictions from an equation for a best fit line.
Write an equation in slope intercept form for the best fit line.
1. DRAW A BEST FIT LINE
2. Select two points on the line and find the slope
The two points MAY NOT be original data points. I chose 1995 (year) and 15,800 ( number of graduates) as one data point.
(1995, 15900)
Then I chose year 2000 and number of graduates as 16,100 for my second data point.
(2000, 16100)
Find the slope change in y over change in x
200 is change in y
5 is change in x
200/5 = 40
m= 40
Find the y intercept (b)
y = 40 x + b
15,900 = 40(1995) +b
15,900 = 79,800 + b
-63,990 = b
Write the equation
y = 40x - 63,990
Predict
y = 40(2010) + 63,990
y = 80,400 - 63,990
y = 16,400
Approximately 16,400 medical school graduates
