Question

The scatter plot shows the number of animal cells Clara examined in a laboratory in different months:

Scatter plot with Months on x axis and Number of Cells on y axis with points at 1 comma 20, 2 comma 60, 3 comma 100, 4 comma 140, and 5 comma 180.

What is the approximate predicted number of animal cells Clara examined in the 9th month?

280
290
340
380

Answer 1

To estimate the number of animal cells Clara examined in the 9th month based on the given points, we can look for a pattern in the relationship between the months and the number of cells.

From the provided points:
- Month 1: 20 cells
- Month 2: 60 cells
- Month 3: 100 cells
- Month 4: 140 cells
- Month 5: 180 cells

We can observe that the number of cells appears to increase as the months progress. To get a clearer understanding of the trend, let's calculate the difference in the number of cells from one month to the next:

- From Month 1 to Month 2: \(60 - 20 = 40\)
- From Month 2 to Month 3: \(100 - 60 = 40\)
- From Month 3 to Month 4: \(140 - 100 = 40\)
- From Month 4 to Month 5: \(180 - 140 = 40\)

There is a consistent increase of 40 cells each month.

If this pattern continues, we can predict the number of cells for the subsequent months:

- Month 6: \(180 + 40 = 220\)
- Month 7: \(220 + 40 = 260\)
- Month 8: \(260 + 40 = 300\)
- Month 9: \(300 + 40 = 340\)

Thus, the approximate predicted number of animal cells Clara examined in the 9th month is **340**.