The Table Below Gives the Number of Births, in Thousands

question 205

Multiple Choice

The table below gives the number of births, in thousands, to females over the age of 35 for a particular state every two years from 1994 to 2010. $$\begin{array} { c | c } & \text { Births } \\\text { Year } & \text { (thousands) } \\\hline 1994 & 42.5 \\\hline 1996 & 29.9 \\\hline 1998 & 36.0 \\\hline 2000 & 56.9 \\\hline 2002 & 71.1 \\\hline 2004 & 69.9 \\\hline 2006 & 57.2 \\\hline 2008 & 37.1 \\\hline 2010 & 25.9\end{array}$$ Use technology to find the quartic function that is the best fit for this data, where x is the number of years after 1994.
According to the model, how many births were there to females over the age of 35 in this state in 2014?

• A) 106,368
• B) 108,868
• C) 94,368
• D) 101,318

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Definitions:

Ancient Trees

Very old trees, often centuries or millennia in age, which can provide historical and environmental insights.

Crown

In dentistry, an artificial cover for a damaged or decayed tooth; in botany, the upper part of a tree, including branches and leaves.

Phloem

A type of vascular tissue in plants that transports sugars and other metabolic products downward from the leaves.

Xylem

A type of vascular tissue in plants responsible for the transport of water and dissolved nutrients from the roots to the rest of the plant.