Use a graphing calculator to plot the data and find the quadratic function of best fit.
-A rock is dropped from a tall building and its distance (in feet) below the point of release is recorded as accurately as possible at various times after the moment of release. The results are shown in the table. Find the
Regression equation of the best model. $\begin{array} { l | l l l l l l } \mathrm { x } \text { (seconds after release) } & 1 & 2 & 3 & 4 & 5 & 6 \\\hline \mathrm { y } \text { (distance in feet) } & 16 & 63 & 146 & 255 & 403 & 572\end{array}$

Question

Use a graphing calculator to plot the data and find the quadratic function of best fit.
-A rock is dropped from a tall building and its distance (in feet) below the point of release is recorded as accurately as possible at various times after the moment of release. The results are shown in the table. Find the
Regression equation of the best model.

\begin{array} { l | l l l l l l } \mathrm { x } \text { (seconds after release) } & 1 & 2 & 3 & 4 & 5 & 6 \\\hline \mathrm { y } \text { (distance in feet) } & 16 & 63 & 146 & 255 & 403 & 572\end{array}

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The data points from the table describe a parabolic trend, which suggests a quadratic relationship between time (x) and distance (y). A quadratic function of the form $y = ax^2 + bx + c$ is the best fit for such a trend. Choice A, $y = 15.95x^2$, is the only quadratic equation provided, making it the correct choice. The other options represent exponential, logarithmic, and linear models, which do not fit the parabolic nature of the data.

Use a Graphing Calculator to Plot the Data and Find