document.write( "<A HREF=/cgi-bin/jump-to-question.mpl?question=1092803>Question 1092803</A>: <I><SPAN STYLE=\"word-break: break-all;\"> Explain why the parabola shown in the figure below is not a good fit for the data. \r<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "Figure: http://www.intervisualtechnology.us/data/1/13720/2_6_image_apply.png\r<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "My answer was \r<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "\"The parabola shown in the figure is not a good fit for the data because the y-values of the coordinates don’t align with the y-value of the parabola. To determine which function fits the data, we compare the y-values given by the data with the y-value of the function. The function with the closest y-values to the data is the best bit. With this figure, the parabola doesn’t seem to be the best fit for the data.\" \r<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "My teacher gave me an F for this. I'm not sure how else to explain it without the coordinates being provided. I would really appreciate help on this!!  </SPAN>\n" );
document.write( "</I><HR><TABLE width=100%><TR><TD><B><A HREF=http://www.algebra.com/>Algebra.Com's</A> Answer #707418 by </B><A HREF=/tutors/aboutme.mpl?userid=Boreal><B>Boreal(15235)</B></A><img src=\"/images/stars/stars-13.gif\" alt=\"\" >&nbsp;<A HREF=/tutors/aboutme.mpl?userid=Boreal><IMG SRC=http://www.algebra.com/images/aboutme-small.gif BORDER=0 alt=\"About Me\" VALIGN=MIDDLE></A>&nbsp;<IMG SRC=http://www.algebra.com/cgi-bin/show-face.mpl?user=Boreal><BR>You can <A HREF=\"/cgi-bin/embed-solution.mpl?show=1&solution=707418\">put this solution on YOUR website!</A><BR><SPAN STYLE=\"word-break: break-all;\"> There are two things I see:<BR>\n" );
document.write( "first, the y and x values are differently scaled.  I would plot them using the same intervals between consecutive integers.<BR>\n" );
document.write( "second, the parabola plotted does not go below one single point.  The plots should at least include points on both sides of the curve.  If this is a parabolic equation, it needs to be shifted downward.  The best plot of any function minimizes least square distances between the points and the function.  This plot if anything maximizes the differences. </SPAN>\n" );
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