Question

Researchers at the University of the Free State investigated a model for rate of seed germination. In one experiment, the alfalfa seeds were placed in a specially constructed germination chamber. Eleven hours later, the seeds were examined and the change in free energy recorded. The results for seeds germinated at seven different temperatures are given in the next table. The data were used to fit a linear regression model, with y = change in free energy and x = temperature.

CHANGE IN FREE ENERGY
TEMPERATURE
7
6.2
9
9.5
8.5
7.8
11.2
295
297.5
291
289
301
293
286.5


Determine the estimate of: σe2