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

A(s) = 0.044*s + 59

s = number of years since 1945

Case A:

In year 1980

s = 1980 - 1945 = 35

A(s) = 0.044*35 + 59 = 60.54 yrs

Case B

In year 2013

s = 2013 - 1945 = 68

A(s) = 0.044*68 + 59 = 61.992 yrs