Question

Which type of function best models the data in the table?

Time and Growth Data

This table presents Time vs. Growth values to identify the function that most accurately models the given dataset
Time (days) Growth (inches)
1
0

3
12

5
32

7
60

(1 point)
Responses

exponential
exponential

linear
linear

cubic
cubic

quadratic

Answer 1

Quadratic.

Reason: the first differences (12, 20, 28) have constant second differences (8), which indicates a quadratic. One matching model is y = x^2 + 2x − 3 (it fits all four points).