Consider the data points (–4, –14), (–2, –7), (0, –3),(2, –2), and (6, –6). Which type of function would best model the data set?

The y-values decrease from −14 to −7 to −3 to −2, then decrease again to −6, so the data changes direction at about x = 2. A linear function cannot turn, and an exponential function is monotonic over its domain. A quadratic function can have a turning point, so quadratic best models these data.

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