MA 1 :: E-Filing

Note: Make sure to use complete sentences when completing the following assignment.

The following table is given by the Internal Revenue Service and shows the numbers of tax returns (in millions) made through e-file from 2000 through 2007. Let $f(t)$ represent the number of tax returns made through e-file in the year $t$.

$\begin{array} {|r|r|r|r|r|r|r|r|r|} \hline \text{Year} & 2000 & 2001 & 2002 & 2003 & 2004 & 2005 & 2006 & 2007 \\ \hline \text{Number (in millions)} & 35.4 & 40.2 & 46.9 & 52.9 & 61.5 & 68.5 & 73.3 & 80.0 \\ \hline \end{array}$

Find $\frac{f(2007) - f(2000)}{2007-2000}$ and interpret the result in the context of the problem.
Make a scatter plot of the data.
Find a linear function that will model the data. Let $N$ represent the number of tax returns mad through e-file and let $t=0$ correspond to $2000$.
Use the model found in the previous part to complete the table below and compare your results with the actual data.

$\begin{array} {|r|r|r|r|r|r|r|r|r|} \hline t & 0 & 1 & 2 & 3 & 4 & 5 & 6 & 7 \\ \hline N & & & & & & & & \\ \hline \end{array}$