Question

scatterplots: foundations
google classroom microsoft teams
percent of adults who smoke
90
80
70
60
50
40
30
20
10
5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40
years since 1945
the scatter plot and trend line show the relationship between the percentage of american adults who smoke and years since 1945. assuming the line correctly shows the trend in the data, what does it mean that the line’s y-intercept is 41?
choose 1 answer:
a 41% of american adults smoke.
b in 1945, approximately 0% of american adults were smokers.
c the model indicates that approximately 41% of american adults smoked in 1985.
d the model indicates that approximately 41% of american adults smoked in 1945.

Explanation:

The y - intercept of a line in the context of this scatter plot occurs when the x - value (years since 1945) is 0. When x = 0, it corresponds to the year 1945. The y - axis represents the percent of adults who smoke. So a y - intercept of 41 means that in 1945 (when years since 1945 is 0), the model indicates that approximately 41% of American adults smoked.

• Option A is incorrect because it does not refer to a specific time (1945) and the data is a trend, not the current percentage.
• Option B is incorrect as the y - intercept is 41, not 0, so it can't mean 0% of adults were smokers in 1945.
• Option C is incorrect because 1985 is 1985 - 1945 = 40 years since 1945, not x = 0 (which is 1945), so it's not related to the y - intercept.

Answer:

D. The model indicates that approximately 41% of American adults smoked in 1945.