SATMathematics Practice Test 1

The average rate of change in the annual budget for agriculture/natural resources from 2008 to 2010 is the total change from to 2008 to 2010 divided by the number of years, which is 2. The total change in the annual budget for agriculture/natural resources from 2008 to 2010 is 488,106−358,708=129,398, in thousands of dollars, so the average change in the annual budget for agriculture/natural resources from 2008 to 2010 is

129,398,000

2

=64,699,00 per year.Of the options given, this average rate of change is closest to 65,000,000 per year.
Choices A and C are incorrect; they could result from errors in setting up or calculating the average rate of change. Choice D is incorrect; $130,000,000 is the approximate total change from 2008 to 2010, not the average change from2008 to 2010.