document.write( "<A HREF=/cgi-bin/jump-to-question.mpl?question=188088>Question 188088</A>: <I><SPAN STYLE=\"word-break: break-all;\"> In recent decades, the percentage of the U.S. population age 16 and over that is in the work force has risen at a roughly constant rate, from 59.4% in 1960 to 66.6% in 2002.\r<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "I need to find the equation describing the relationship.  I believe I need to find the slope first. Which is the change in y1-y over x1-x.  But I' don't know how to express this.\r<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "Please help me find the equation.\r<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "tom. </SPAN>\n" );
document.write( "</I><HR><TABLE width=100%><TR><TD><B><A HREF=http://www.algebra.com/>Algebra.Com's</A> Answer #140973 by </B><A HREF=/tutors/aboutme.mpl?userid=stanbon><B>stanbon(75887)</B></A><img src=\"/images/stars/stars-13.gif\" alt=\"\" >&nbsp;<A HREF=/tutors/aboutme.mpl?userid=stanbon><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=140973\">put this solution on YOUR website!</A><BR><SPAN STYLE=\"word-break: break-all;\"> In recent decades, the percentage of the U.S. population age 16 and over that is in the work force has risen at a roughly constant rate, from 59.4% in 1960 to 66.6% in 2002. <BR>\n" );
document.write( "I need to find the equation describing the relationship. I believe I need to find the slope first. <BR>\n" );
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document.write( "You have two points: (0,59.4) and (42,66.6)<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "Note: The \"0\" represents 1960 and the 42 represents 2002 which is 42 years<BR>\n" );
document.write( "after 1960.<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "Now the slope between these two points is (66.6-59.4)/(42-0) = 0.1714<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "The intercept is P(0)= 59.4<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "So the equation is P(x) = 0.1714x + 59.4, where x is the number of years<BR>\n" );
document.write( "after 1960 and \"P\" stands for percent.<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "Cheers,<BR>\n" );
document.write( "Stan H. </SPAN>\n" );
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