Question

1. student enrollment at your school has been steadily increasing. in 2014, there were 500 students. in 2015, there were 523 students. in 2016, there were 550 students. in 2017, there were 573 students. what process would you use to predict student enrollment in 2020? a. interpolation b. extrapolation what would make it easier for you to make this prediction?

Explanation:

1. For the first question: Interpolation estimates values within existing data points, while extrapolation estimates values outside the range of collected data. 2020 is beyond the 2014-2017 data set, so extrapolation is needed.
2. For the second question: Having a clear, established trend (like calculating a consistent rate of enrollment change over the given years, or having more data points to confirm the trend pattern) simplifies predicting future values as it provides a reliable pattern to extend to 2020.

Answer:

1. b. extrapolation
2. Identifying a consistent enrollment trend from the 2014-2017 data (such as calculating the average annual change in enrollment) or having additional enrollment data points to confirm the trend pattern would make the prediction easier.