a. The drop-out rate can be estimated using the equation,
d = my + b
where d is the drop-out rate, m is the slope of the line, y is the number of years from 1998 and b be the initial value. For 2008,
18.3 = m(2008 - 1998) + 38.46
The value of m from the equation is -1.12. The equation becomes,
d = -1.12y + 38.46
b. The vertical intercept of the model is when d is equal to zero.
0 = -1.12y + 38.46
The value of y from the equation is 34.34.
(34.34, 0)
c. n = 1990 + 34.34 = 2024.34.
The vertical intercept of this problem tells me that by the year 2024, the drop-out rate would be 0%.