Question 468688
The salmon population in a particular stream in Alaska decreased from 148,000 in 1997 to 129,000 in 2002
 predict the salmon population in 2015. 
:
Find the slope (m)
let x1 = 0, representing 1997
let x2 = 5, representing 2002
then
y1 = 148000; representing the salmon numbers
y2 = 129000
:
m = {{{(y2-y1)/(x2-x1)}}}
:
m = {{{(129000-148000)/(5-0)}}} = {{{(-19000)/5}}} = -3800 is the slope
:
Find the equation using the point/slope form: y - y1 = m(x - x1)
y - 148000 = -3800(x - 0)
y = -3800x + 148000; is the equation
:
"predict the salmon population in 2015"
x = 18
y = -3800(18) + 148000
y = -68400 + 148000
y = 79,600 Salmon in 2015
:
Hey, did this make sense to you now! Not that hard, right?