Question

On average, by how much did the number of people who just borrow, but not necessarily buy, online increase each year from 1997 to 2003?

Define a variable, write an equation, and solve the problem.

Short answer

Variables are symbols, usually letters, used to represent unknown quantities.

The equation representing the given problem is: $\mathbf{x}\mathbf{=}\frac{\mathbf{106}\mathbf{.}\mathbf{6}\mathbf{-}\mathbf{19}\mathbf{.}\mathbf{2}}{\mathbf{2003}\mathbf{-}\mathbf{1997}}$.

The number on average of the people who just borrow, but not necessarily buy, online increase each year from 1997 to 2003 is $\mathbf{14}\mathbf{.}\mathbf{5667}$

Step-by-step solution

­- Observe the given diagram.

The given diagram is:

­- Description of step.

Variables are symbols, usually letters, used to represent unknown quantities.

­- Description of step.

The equation representing the given problem is:

$x=\frac{106.6-19.2}{2003-1997}$

The solution of the equation is:

$\begin{array}{c}x=\frac{106.6-19.2}{2003-1997}\\ =\frac{87.4}{6}\\ =14.5667\end{array}$

Therefore, the number on average of the people who just borrow, but not necessarily buy, online increase each year from 1997 to 2003 is $14.5667$.