Data on total U.S. expenditures on pets, pet products, and related services are given in the table below. Model the data with a linear function. Then, using that function, estimate total U.S. expenditures on pets in 2005 and predict total expenditures in 2015. Answers may vary depending on the data points used.
Year, x Total U.S. Expenditures
On pets (in billions)
1991, 0 ............................................... $19.6
1994, 3 ........................................... 24.9
1997, 6 ........................................... 32.5
2000, 9 .......................................... 39.7
2003, 12 .......................................... 46.8
2006, 15 .......................................... 56.9
2009, 18 .......................................... 67.1