A study was done to investigate the population of polar bears over time. The correlating linear model is shown below, where x represents the number of years after 1955, and y represents the number of polar bears. Interpret the y-intercept.

y = 5,000 + 500x
There were 500 polar bears in 1955.

There were 1,000 polar bears in 1955.

There were 5,000 polar bears in 1955.

There were 10,000 polar bears in 1955.

Question

A study was done to investigate the population of polar bears over time. The correlating linear model is shown below, where x represents the number of years after 1955, and y represents the number of polar bears. Interpret the y-intercept.

y = 5,000 + 500x
There were 500 polar bears in 1955.

There were 1,000 polar bears in 1955.

There were 5,000 polar bears in 1955.

There were 10,000 polar bears in 1955.