The size of the average farm in the United States has been growing steadily over the years. The accompanying data, obtained from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, gives the size of the average farm y (in acres) from 1940 through 1997. (Here, x = 0 corresponds to the beginning of the year 1940.) Find the equation of the least-squares line for these data. Use the equation found to estimate the size of the average farm in the year 1982.
A) y = 6.76x + 148; 13,546 acres
B) y = 7.75x + 148; 474 acres
C) y = 6.76x + 148; 432 acres
D) y = 5.71x + 176; 415.82 acres

Question

The size of the average farm in the United States has been growing steadily over the years. The accompanying data, obtained from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, gives the size of the average farm y (in acres) from 1940 through 1997.  (Here, x = 0 corresponds to the beginning of the year 1940.) Find the equation of the least-squares line for these data. Use the equation found to estimate the size of the average farm in the year 1982.
A) y = 6.76x + 148; 13,546 acres 
B) y = 7.75x + 148; 474 acres 
C) y = 6.76x + 148; 432 acres 
D) y = 5.71x + 176; 415.82 acres

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The Answer of The size of the average farm in the United States has been growing steadily over the years. The accompanying data, obtained from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, gives the size of the average farm y (in acres) from 1940 through 1997.  (Here, x = 0 corresponds to the beginning of the year 1940.) Find the equation of the least-squares line for these data. Use the equation found to estimate the size of the average farm in the year 1982.
A) y = 6.76x + 148; 13,546 acres 
B) y = 7.75x + 148; 474 acres 
C) y = 6.76x + 148; 432 acres 
D) y = 5.71x + 176; 415.82 acres

The Size of the Average Farm in the United States