Tom claims that, because the data pairs (1, 4), (2, 6), (3, 9), and (4, 13.5) have y-values with a common ratio, the are best modeled by a quadratic function? What is his error?
In order to validate Tom's claim, we have to calculate if indeed there is a common ratio with the consecutive y-values in the given ordered pairs. 1st and 2nd: r = 6/4 = 1.5 2nd and 3rd: r = 9/6 = 1.5 3rd and 4th: r = 13.5 /9 = 1.5
We have validated the existence of a common ratio. However this does not conclude that the function is quadratic because the ratio between the values is in first order.
