(Optional use of technology.) The graph at the top of the

Chapter 2, Problem 2.11.9

(choose chapter or problem)

(Optional use of technology.) The graph at the top of the next page gives the mean annual cost for tuition and fees at public and private 4-year colleges in the United States since 1985. It is clear that the cost of higher education is going up, but public education is still less expensive than private. The graph suggests that costs of both public and private education versus time can be roughly represented as straight lines. a. By hand, sketch two lines that best represent the data. Calculate the rate of change of education cost per year for public and for private education by estimating the coordinates of two points that lie on the line, and then estimating the slope.b. Construct an equation for each of your lines in part (a). (Set 1985 as year 0.) If you are using technology, generate two regression lines from the Excel or graph link data file EDUCOSTS and compare these equations with the ones you constructed. c. If the costs continue to rise at the same rates for both sorts of schools, what would be the respective costs for public and private education in the year 2010? Does this seem plausible to you? Check your answers on the Internet.