Question

For the past ten years, Michelle has been tracking the average annual rainfall in Boynton Beach, Florida by recording her data in the given table. She has concluded that the relationship can be modeled by a linear function.

Year 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013
Average Rainfall(in inches) 62.33 61.8 61.27 60.74 60.21 59.68 59.15 58.62 58.09 57.56
Use the values provided in the table to create a linear graph of the data. On the graph, let x = 0
represent the year 2004. Be sure to include all proper labels on the graph.

WRITER

Answer 1

Here is everything you need to make the linear graph and label it correctly.

1) Coordinates (with x = 0 for 2004)
- (0, 62.33) — 2004
- (1, 61.80) — 2005
- (2, 61.27) — 2006
- (3, 60.74) — 2007
- (4, 60.21) — 2008
- (5, 59.68) — 2009
- (6, 59.15) — 2010
- (7, 58.62) — 2011
- (8, 58.09) — 2012
- (9, 57.56) — 2013

2) Best-fit linear model (exact fit here)
- Slope m = (57.56 − 62.33) / (9 − 0) = −4.77 / 9 = −0.53 (inches per year)
- y-intercept b = 62.33
- Equation: y = −0.53x + 62.33
(With x = 0 → 2004, y = average annual rainfall in inches.)

3) How to draw the graph
- x-axis: label "Years (x = 0 is 2004)". Put ticks x = 0,1,2,...,9 and label them 2004, 2005, ..., 2013.
- y-axis: label "Average rainfall (inches)". Use a range that covers ~57 to ~63 (for example ticks every 0.5 or 1.0 inch).
- Plot the 10 points given above.
- Draw the straight line y = −0.53x + 62.33 through the points (it will pass exactly through them).
- Title the graph, e.g., "Average Annual Rainfall in Boynton Beach (2004–2013)".

4) Interpretation note (optional)
- The rainfall is decreasing at about 0.53 inches per year over this period.

If you want, I can produce a plotted image (PNG/SVG) of this graph or give step-by-step instructions for plotting it in Excel, Desmos, or Google Sheets. Which would you prefer?