Question

for the following set of data find an appropriate regression equation (linear, exponential, or logarithmic) state your reason x: 1,2,3,4,5 y: 112,114, 119, 122, 129

Answer 1

So the differences in y values at 2, 3, 5, 3, and 7. Just at a glance, I'd think that this would be a linear regression equation. But, I don't recall the formula for that, I'm afraid.

Answer 2

its ax+b but i dont understand how you know when to use the formulas?

Answer 3

Well, the question is basically what kind of formula will produce a line that gets closest to all of the points. If you try each of them, you should see that a line will probably fit the points the best. There are also formulas for calculating the error each type of formula will incur, and the one with the least error is the best.

Answer 4

okay so i can just plug it into the calculator?

Answer 5

It will probably be *slightly* more complicated than that (you'll have to find the a and b that will get close to the points, for example), but yes.

Actually, I think graphing calculators have functions for calculating linear regression, amongst other things.

Answer 6

yeah they do..soo what would i be looking for when plugging them in? what should the line look like?

Answer 7

Sorry, thought I'd replied. You're looking for a line that goes between the points and doesn't get too far from any one of them.

Answer 8

okay thanks