For the past several hundred years, astronomers have kept track of the number of sunspots. This table shows the average number of sunspots each year from 1972 to 1999.

a. Make a scatter plot of the data and describe any patterns that you notice.
b. Estimate the length of a cycle.
c. Predict the next period of maximum solar activity after 1999.

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Year Number Yer Number Year Number 0 of sunspots of sunspots of sunspots 94.3 54.6 29.9 17.5 199294 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 115.9 197268.9 1973 1974 1975 1976 1977 1978 1979155.4 1930 1981 38.0 34.5 15.5 12.6 27.5 92.5 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989157.6 1990142 1991 66.6 45.9 3.4 29.4 100.2 21.5 64.3 93.3 (www.solarmovie.com) 154.6 140.4 145.7