document.write( "<A HREF=/cgi-bin/jump-to-question.mpl?question=179505>Question 179505</A>: <I><SPAN STYLE=\"word-break: break-all;\"> I have this discussion question to answer and I am really confused by it.  Your help would be appreciated. \r<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "Determine whether this statement \"makes sense\" or \"does not make sense\" and explain your reasoning. Because the percentage of the U.S. population that was foreign-born decreased from 1910 through 1970 and then increased after that, an equation of the form y = ax^2 + bx + c, rather  than a linear equation of the form y = mx + b, should be used to model the data </SPAN>\n" );
document.write( "</I><HR><TABLE width=100%><TR><TD><B><A HREF=http://www.algebra.com/>Algebra.Com's</A> Answer #134450 by </B><A HREF=/tutors/aboutme.mpl?userid=eperette><B>eperette(173)</B></A><img src=\"/images/stars/stars-09.gif\" alt=\"\" >&nbsp;<A HREF=/tutors/aboutme.mpl?userid=eperette><IMG SRC=http://www.algebra.com/images/aboutme-small.gif BORDER=0 alt=\"About Me\" VALIGN=MIDDLE></A>&nbsp;<IMG SRC=http://www.algebra.com/images/nopicture.jpg><BR>You can <A HREF=\"/cgi-bin/embed-solution.mpl?show=1&solution=134450\">put this solution on YOUR website!</A><BR><SPAN STYLE=\"word-break: break-all;\"> This questions is related to rate of change (change in population over change in time).  The statement makes sense....\r<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "a function of the form y=mx+b represents a linear function...a straight line<BR>\n" );
document.write( "1. a linear function increases, decreases, or remains constant over time only...it does not do one and the other<BR>\n" );
document.write( "2. The m in the equation represents these static rate of change (called slope)\r<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "On the other hand a function of the form y=ax^2+bx+c represets a quadratic function, a parabola graph....<BR>\n" );
document.write( "1. The parabola is shaped like a U if a is replaced by a positive number  or upside down U if a is replaced by a negative number...<BR>\n" );
document.write( "2. The statement given to you holds true for a positive quadratic...as you move from left to right (from smaller x to higher x values along the x-axis), the line goes down and then up (the y decreases, remains constant at one point, and then increases)   </SPAN>\n" );
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