1. **State the problem:** We need to find the average rate of change in the number of living wage jobs from 1997 to 1999. 2. **Formula for average rate of change:** $$\text{Average rate of change} = \frac{\text{Change in jobs}}{\text{Change in years}} = \frac{y_2 - y_1}{x_2 - x_1}$$ 3. **Apply the formula from 1997 to 1999:** - Jobs in 1997 ($x_1=1997$): $y_1=675$ - Jobs in 1999 ($x_2=1999$): $y_2=730$ $$\text{Average rate} = \frac{730 - 675}{1999 - 1997} = \frac{55}{2}$$ 4. **Simplify:** $$\frac{\cancel{55}}{\cancel{2}} = 27.5$$ 5. **Interpretation:** The average rate of change from 1997 to 1999 is 27.5 jobs per year. 6. **Next, find the average rate of change from 1999 to 2001:** - Jobs in 1999 ($x_1=1999$): $y_1=730$ - Jobs in 2001 ($x_2=2001$): $y_2=755$ $$\text{Average rate} = \frac{755 - 730}{2001 - 1999} = \frac{25}{2}$$ 7. **Simplify:** $$\frac{\cancel{25}}{\cancel{2}} = 12.5$$ 8. **Interpretation:** The average rate of change from 1999 to 2001 is 12.5 jobs per year. **Final answers:** - Average rate of change from 1997 to 1999: $27.5$ jobs/year - Average rate of change from 1999 to 2001: $12.5$ jobs/year