If $y = 70+ 0.964(x-2014)$ be a straight line trend fitted by the method of the least squares to the above data, then the trend value for the year 2015 is:

70.96

The correct answer is Option (1) → 70.96

Given trend equation: $y = 70 + 0.964(x - 2014)$

For the year 2015, $x = 2015$:

$y = 70 + 0.964 (2015 - 2014) = 70 + 0.964 * 1 = 70.964$