Which Function Is It?

Modeling From Tables

Example 3

What family of functions would model this table?

ModelTableEx3-1

Step 1. Is there a common first difference?

ModelTableEx3-2

The y-values do not have a common first difference.

Step 2. Is there a common second difference?

ModelTableEx3-3

There is a common second difference; therefore, the table can be modeled by a quadratic function.