document.write( "Question 322182: Determine whether each set of data is linear, quadratic, or neither using finite differences.\r
\n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "X Y
\n" ); document.write( "1 -3
\n" ); document.write( "2 -2
\n" ); document.write( "3 2
\n" ); document.write( "4 9
\n" ); document.write( " \n" ); document.write( "

Algebra.Com's Answer #230646 by Edwin McCravy(20055) $\"\"$ $\"About$

You can put this solution on YOUR website!

\r\n" );
document.write( "X   Y  1st differences 2nd differences  \r\n" );
document.write( "0  -1 \r\n" );
document.write( "      -3-(-1)=-3+1=-2\r\n" );
document.write( "1  -3                   1-(-2)=1+2=3\r\n" );
document.write( "      -2-(-3)=-2+3= 1\r\n" );
document.write( "2  -2                    4-1      =3\r\n" );
document.write( "       2-(-2)= 2+2= 4\r\n" );
document.write( "3   2                    7-4      =3 \r\n" );
document.write( "        9-2  =      7\r\n" );
document.write( "4   9\r\n" );
document.write( "\r\n" );
document.write( "Since the SECOND differences are all the same -- that is, they \r\n" );
document.write( "are all 3's, the data is of a SECOND degree polynomial, which\r\n" );
document.write( "means it is quadratic, and follows the quadratic or SECOND DEGREE \r\n" );
document.write( "equation\r\n" );
document.write( "\r\n" );
document.write( "\r\n" );
document.write( "\r\n" );
document.write( "Edwin

\n" ); document.write( "

\n" );