According to the line of best fit in the scatterplot above, which of the following best approximates the year in which the number of miles traveled by air passengers in Country X was estimated to be 550 billion?

Options

A. 1997
B. 2000
C. 2003
D. 2008

Explanation

Choice C is correct. According to the graph, the horizontal line that represents 550 billion miles traveled intersects the line of best fit at a point whose horizontal coordinate is between 2000 and 2005, and slightly closer to 2005 than to 2000. Therefore, of the choices given, 2003 best approximates the year in which the number of miles traveled by air passengers in Country X was estimated to be 550 billion.
Choice A is incorrect. According to the line of best fit, in 1997 the estimated number of miles traveled by air passengers in Country X was about 450 billion, not 550 billion. Choice B is incorrect. According to the line of best fit, in 2000 the estimated number of miles traveled by air passengers in Country X was about 500 billion, not 550 billion. Choice D is incorrect. According to the line of best fit, in 2008 the estimated number of miles traveled by air passengers in Country X was about 600 billion, not 550 billion.