The U.S. consumer price index (CPI) measures the cost of living based on a value of 100 in the years 1982–1984. The CPI for the years 1995–2012 (see figure) is modeled by the function c(t) = 151e^0.026t, where t represents years after 1995.

a. Was the average growth rate of the CPI greater between the years 1995 and 2000 or between 2005 and 2010?

b. Was the growth rate of the CPI greater in 2000 (t = 5) or 2005 (t = 10)?

c. Use a graphing utility to graph the growth rate, for 0 ≤ t ≤ 15. What does the graph tell you about growth in the cost of living during this time period?

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240 200 160 120 + + 16 2 6. 10 12 14 18 t Years after 1995 Consumer price index (CPI) 4-