Chapter 9.7, Problem 20PPE

To determine

To determine the error in the analysis.

Answer to Problem 20PPE

The data pairs are best modeled by an exponential function.

Explanation of Solution

Given information:

Tom claims that, because the data pairs $\left(1,4\right)$ , $\left(2,6\right)$ , $\left(3,9\right)$ and $\left(4,13.5\right)$ have y-value with a common ratio, they are best modeled by a quadratic function.

The claim by Tom is wrong since when the x-values in a set of data pairs have a common difference, we use exponential function to model data pairs with y-values that have a common ratio.

Here, the y-values have a common ratio of $\frac{3}{2}$ . Hence, the data pairs are best modeled by an exponential function.