1. **State the problem:** We need to find the length of the alligator at birth and its growth rate based on the linear relationship shown in the graph. 2. **Identify given data:** From the graph, the length at 0 months (birth) is about 30 centimeters. 3. **Find the growth rate:** The length increases from 30 cm at 0 months to about 80 cm at 20 months. 4. **Calculate the growth rate:** $$\text{Growth rate} = \frac{80 - 30}{20 - 0} = \frac{50}{20} = 2.5 \text{ cm per month}$$ 5. **Match growth rate to given options:** - 2 cm every 5 months = 0.4 cm/month - 5 cm every 2 months = 2.5 cm/month - 5 cm every 1 month = 5 cm/month - 1 cm every 5 months = 0.2 cm/month The growth rate matches **5 centimeters every 2 months**. 6. **Final statement:** The alligator is **30 centimeters long at birth** and grows **5 centimeters every 2 months**.