A line graph shows the population of algae in a pond over 12 months. At month 3, the population is 500, and at month 9, the population is 2,500. If the data follows a linear trend, what is the approximate population increase per month?
Correct: C
To calculate the linear increase per month, determine the total increase by subtracting 500 (month 3) from 2,500 (month 9), giving 2,000 over 6 months. Dividing 2,000 by 6 yields approximately 333. The closest answer is 333, but since options round to nearest tens, the correct answer is 300.