The table gives the actual or projected world population in billions for selected years from 2000 to 2050.
(a) Use linear regression to find the linear equation that is the best fit for the data, with x equal to the number of years past 2000.
(b) Use the equation to predict the population in 2018.
(c) Write a sentence that interprets the slope of the linear regression line.
Years _____________________ Population (billions)
2000 .........................................6.08
2010 .........................................6.82
2020 .........................................7.54
2030 .........................................8.18
2040 .........................................8.72
2050 .........................................9.19