Which kind of function best models the set of data points (–3, 18), (–2, 6), (–1, 2), (0, 11), and (1, 27)?

linear
quadratic
exponential
none of the above

Question

Which kind of function best models the set of data points (–3, 18), (–2, 6), (–1, 2), (0, 11), and (1, 27)?  

linear
quadratic
exponential
none of the above

anonymous · Answer

Quadratic - it has about a 99.54% fit.

anonymous · Answer

how'd you get 99.54? hahah

anonymous · Answer

That just sounds right, doesn't it?  ;)

anonymous · Answer

I used a TI-83.  :)

anonymous · Answer

roflmao got'cha

directrix · Answer

I plotted the points by hand on a sheet of paper to get some idea of the relationship. With only 5 points, it is dicey in my opinion to settle on any model with certainty without further investigation. That said, the distribution of the five points is not linear and is not exponential. It is either quadratic or none of the above. Of those two, the distribution leans toward being quadratic because it has taken on a semi-parabola appearance.