Answer
$f(3)=1,500$
In the year 2003, the number of housing starts was 1,500,000
$f(6)=1,500$
In the year 2006, the number of housing starts was 1,500,000
$f(8.5)=500$
In a year that started on July 1st, 2008, the number of housing starts was 500,000
Work Step by Step
The graph contains points (t, f(t))
Reading the graph we note that the points
(3, 1500) , (6, 1500), (8.5, 500) are ON THE GRAPH.
Keeping in mind that
t is the number of years after 2000, f(t) is in thousands,
the noted points lead us to conclude:
$f(3)=1,500$
In the year 2003, the number of housing starts was 1,500,000
$f(6)=1,500$
In the year 2006, the number of housing starts was 1,500,000
$f(8.5)=500$
"8.5 years after 2000" is 8 full years + half a year after 2000,
in other words, midway through the year 2009!
(To express this in full completed years,
midway through 2009 = the year of time that started on July 1st, 2008)
Interpretation:
Midway through the year 2009, the number of housing starts was 500,000
or
In a year that started on July 1st, 2008, the number of housing starts was 500,000
