The number of VHS movie rentals has declined since the year 2000 due to the popularity of DVDs, as the following table shows. The exponential regression equation was found to be [tex]y = 9.79(0.8213)^x[/tex], where [tex]x[/tex] represents the number of years since 2000. Use the regression equation to predict the number of VHS movie rentals in 2011.

\begin{tabular}{|l|l|l|l|l|l|l|l|}
\hline Year & 2000 & 2001 & 2002 & 2003 & 2004 & 2005 & 2006 \\
\hline VHS Rentals (in millions) & 10.5 & 7.9 & 6.2 & 5.3 & 4.2 & 3.8 & 3.1 \\
\hline
\end{tabular}

a. 0
b. 0.11
c. 88.45
d. 1.12

Please select the best answer from the choices provided:
A
B
C
D



Answer :

To solve this problem, we need to use the given exponential regression equation [tex]\( y = 9.79 \cdot (0.8213)^r \)[/tex], where [tex]\( y \)[/tex] represents the number of VHS movie rentals (in millions) and [tex]\( r \)[/tex] is the number of years since the year 2000.

We are asked to predict the number of VHS movie rentals in the year 2011. The steps are as follows:

1. First, determine the value of [tex]\( r \)[/tex]. Since [tex]\( r \)[/tex] is the number of years since 2000,
[tex]\[ r = 2011 - 2000 = 11. \][/tex]

2. Substitute [tex]\( r = 11 \)[/tex] into the exponential regression equation:
[tex]\[ y = 9.79 \cdot (0.8213)^{11}. \][/tex]

3. Compute [tex]\( (0.8213)^{11} \)[/tex]:
[tex]\[ (0.8213)^{11} \approx 0.1147. \][/tex]

4. Multiply 9.79 by 0.1147 to find [tex]\( y \)[/tex]:
[tex]\[ y = 9.79 \cdot 0.1147 \approx 1.1228. \][/tex]

So, the predicted number of VHS movie rentals in 2011 is approximately [tex]\( 1.1228 \)[/tex] million.

From the choices provided:
a. 0
b. 0.11
c. 88.45
d. 1.12

The closest and most appropriate answer is:

d. 1.12