Use the graph to answer the question.

Question

The line graph shows tuition amounts for a university for the years 1996 through 1999. Which of
the following is a valid claim based on the graph?

The left side of the graph:
Tuition (in dollars)
0
8,500
9,000
9,500
10,000
10,500

Bottom of graph:
Year
0
1996
1997
1998
1999

answers below:
The greatest one-year increase in tuition occurred from 1997 to 1998.

The rate of increase was the same from year to year.

Tuition rates doubled between 1996 and 1999.

Tuition rates will continue to increase over the next 5 years.

Answer 1

Based on the description of the graph and the provided answer choices, the valid claim is:

The greatest one-year increase in tuition occurred from 1997 to 1998.

This is typically a claim that can be verified by examining the change in tuition amounts from year to year. The other options cannot be determined to be necessarily valid based on a standard interpretation of a line graph without specific numerical values or additional data:

• "The rate of increase was the same from year to year" cannot be determined without knowing the exact tuition amounts for each year.
• "Tuition rates doubled between 1996 and 1999" is unlikely since tuition increases are usually gradual, and if all values are within the range provided, they likely did not double.
• "Tuition rates will continue to increase over the next 5 years" is a predictive statement that cannot be verified based on historical data alone.

Thus, the claim regarding the greatest one-year increase is the only valid statement based on the information provided.