Assume that the sales followed a linear pattern.

Question

A soda company had sales of $19,580 million in 2002 and $35,139 million in 2010. Use the Midpoint Formula to estimate the sales in 2006. Assume that the sales followed a linear pattern.

Answer 1

For the line segment between points P₁: (x₁,y₁) and P₂: (x₂,y₂), the midpoint is:

            P_M: ( (x₂+x₁)/2, (y₂+y₁)/2 )

 

The problem gives the points:  P₁: ( 2002, $19,580 million) and P₂: ( 2010, $35,139 million )

 

The midpoint formula gives:   P_M:  ( (2010+2002)/2, ( ($35,139 million + $19,580 million)/2 )

                                            P_M:  ( 2006, $27,359,500)

 

       PLZ:  remember that $1 million is still a lot of money

Answer 2

Dana,

        The midpoint of sales is (19,580+35,139)/2=27,359.50. If sales follow a liner pattern then sales in 2006 would be $27,359.50

 

Hope this helps

 

Jim