Step 4: Using data from a specific town to write equations and draw conclusions about degrees earned. In Springfield, a specific town in the US, 6 women and 25 men earned bachelor degrees in 2000. In 2010, however, 391 women and 410 men in that town earned bachelor degrees. Assume that the rate of change was constant between 2000 and 2010.

Without using regression, write a system of equations that model the number of bachelor degrees earned by men and women in Springfield as a function of x, the number of years since 2000. Show your work.

Equation for Springfield’s men:

Equation for Springfield’s women:

When, if ever, will the number of women earning bachelor degrees equal the number of men earning bachelor degrees in Springfield? Justify your answer using appropriate mathematics vocabulary.