16. If the trend shown in the graph above continued into the next year, approximately how many sport utility vehicles were sold in 1999?
Answer: A
Approximately 3 million sport utility vehicles were sold in 1999.
Based on the trend illustrated in the graph, it is reasonable to estimate that around 3 million sport utility vehicles were sold in 1999, reflecting the upward trajectory observed in the preceding years.
A) 3 million
This option accurately reflects the projected sales figure for sport utility vehicles in 1999, consistent with the continued upward trend shown in the graph. The data indicates that sales were increasing significantly, supporting this estimate as the most plausible outcome.
B) 2.5 million
While 2.5 million is a substantial figure, it underestimates the trend depicted in the graph. The consistent increase in sales leading up to 1999 suggests that this figure does not align with the expected continuation of the growth pattern.
C) 2 million
This option is also too low given the trends observed in the data. The historical sales figures leading up to 1999 indicate a robust increase, making 2 million an unlikely estimate for that year.
D) 3 thousand
This figure is significantly lower than what the graph suggests. A sale of only 3 thousand sport utility vehicles is not feasible when considering the upward trend and the total sales figures from previous years.
Conclusion
The estimate of approximately 3 million sport utility vehicles sold in 1999 is supported by the upward trend shown in the graph, making it the most accurate choice. All other options fail to account for the growth pattern reflected in the data, resulting in underestimations of the actual sales figures.