16Hit1600
Problem-Solving and Data AnalysisMediumDifference between two predictions from a fitted line

Problem-Solving and Data Analysis practice question

A line of best fit relating the hours of sunshine x on a day to the number of ice creams y a stall sells has the equation y = 40x + 15. How many more ice creams does the line predict for a day with 8 hours of sunshine than for a day with 3 hours?

Answer: 200

The difference is the slope times the change in x: 40 × (8 − 3) = 200.

Common wrong answers

If you answered 5
5 is the change in hours, not in ice creams.
If you answered 215
215 adds the intercept to the difference.
If you answered 335
335 is the prediction for 8 hours alone.

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