Average Age of Senators The function As given by As 0044s

Average Age of Senators. The function A(s) given by A(s) = 0.044s + 59 can be used to estimate the average age of senators in the U.S. Senate in the years 1945 to 2013. Let A(S) = the average age of the senators and s = the number of years since 1945 - that is, s = 0 for 1945, s = 20 for 1965, and so on. What was the average age of U.S. Senators in 1980? in 2013? Sources: Data from www.slate.com/; \"Democracy or Gerontocracy, \" Brian Palmer, January 2, 2013; Congressional Research Service

Solution

The average age of U.S. Senators ,A(s) is given by A(s) = 0.044s+59 where s is the number of years since 1945.

For the year 1980, s = 1980 -1945 = 35. Hence, the average age of U.S. Senators in 1980 is 0.044*35 + 59 = 1.54+ 59 = 60.54 years or, 60 years, 6 months 14 days (approximately).

For the year 2013, s = 2013 -1945 = 68. Hence, the average age of U.S. Senators in 1980 is 0.044*68 + 59 = 2.992+ 59 = 61.992 years or, 61 years, 11 months 27 days (approximately).