<PRE><B>Question 1077449</B>
y represents the money spent on defence
x represents time 
  y is a linear function of x
  hence y=  ax+b, where a, b are constants
  for x=0, y= $ 176 million
  put these values in the above equation
 176 = a(0)+b
  176 =b
 hence b= 176
 for x= 8, y= 528 million
  hence 528 =  8(a) +b
         but b=176
 hence 528 = 8*a+176
     {{{ 528-176 = 8a}}}
        {{[  352=8a}}}
         {{{ 352/8 = 8a/8}}}
           {{{44=a}}}
 hence a= 44 and b =176
 Hence y=  44x+176
 </PRE>