Questions: Arleen is looking into opening a daycare in her community. She is aware of many single-parent families that need a place for their children to stay while they work, but she is concerned about the long-term prospects for such a business. She thinks the future of her daycare will depend on whether birth rates and the number of single-parent families keep growing. These concerns illustrate how businesses can be affected by trends.

The answer is: demographic trends.

Explanation:

• Econometric: This term refers to the application of statistical and mathematical models to economic data for the purpose of testing hypotheses and forecasting future trends. While econometric analysis can be useful for business planning, it is not directly related to birth rates and family structures.

• Demographic: This term pertains to the study of populations, including the structure, distribution, and trends within a population. Arleen's concerns about birth rates and the number of single-parent families are directly related to demographic trends, as these factors are key components of demographic studies.

• Geographic: This term relates to the physical location and features of a place. While geographic factors can influence a business, they are not directly related to the birth rates and family structures that Arleen is concerned about.

Therefore, the correct answer is demographic trends, as these are the trends that involve changes in population characteristics such as birth rates and family structures, which are directly relevant to the future prospects of Arleen's daycare business.