Browse the Topics, Table of Contents, and Index
Follow us:
Twitter Facebook

7.3 Quadratic Patterns

7.3 Quadratic Patterns
<
>
  • Math Help

    You can use a spreadsheet to draw a "best-fitting line" and a "best-fitting quadratic" similar to the graph in Example 3 using the steps below.

    1. Create a spreadsheet like the one below.
    2. Select cells A2 through A53 and B2 through B53.
    3. From the Insert menu, choose Chart....
    4. Select the Standard Types tab. Under Chart type:, select XY (Scatter). Then click Next.
    5. Click Next again.
    6. Select the Titles tab. Enter "Carbon Dioxide Levels in Earth's Atmosphere" for Chart title:, "Year" for Value (X) axis:, and " CO2 parts per million " for Value (Y) axis:.
    7. Select the Legend tab. Uncheck Show legend. Click Finish.
    8. Select the scatter plot. From the Chart menu, choose Add Trendline....
    9. Select the Type tab. Under Trend/Regression type, choose Linear.
    10. Select the Options tab. Under Forecast, enter 40 for Forward. Click OK.
    11. Select the scatter plot. From the Chart menu, choose Add Trendline….
    12. Select the Type tab. Under Trend/Regression type, choose Polynomial. Enter 2 for Order:.
    13. Select the Options tab. Under Forecast, enter 40 for Forward. Click OK.

  • Consumer Suggestion

    Do you know the impact you have on the earth? Your carbon footprint is a measure of the greenhouse gases produced by human activities, such as driving to work or taking a shower. Visit GreenStudentU.com to calculate your carbon footprint.

  • Checkpoint Solution

    The patterns in both harvests appear to be quadratic. The number of blades of grass increases as the nitrogen level increases at first, but eventually starts to decrease. This means that initially more nitrogen is good for growing grass, but there is a point where it doesn't help anymore. After that point, increased nitrogen hurts grass growth.

  • Comments (1)

    These comments are not screened before publication. Constructive debate about the information on this page is welcome, but personal attacks are not. Please do not post comments that are commercial in nature or that violate copyright. Comments that we regard as obscene, defamatory, or intended to incite violence will be removed. If you find a comment offensive, you may flag it.
    When posting a comment, you agree to our Terms of Use.

     __   _    _    _     _____    _    _    ______   
    | || | || | || | ||  |__  //  | || | || |      \\ 
    | '--' || | || | ||    / //   | || | || |  --  // 
    | .--. || | \\_/ ||   / //__  | \\_/ || |  --  \\ 
    |_|| |_||  \____//   /_____||  \____//  |______// 
    `-`  `-`    `---`    `-----`    `---`   `------`  
                                                      
    
    Showing 1 comments
    Subscribe by RSS
    system user
    Ron Larson (author)1 decade ago |
    In Example 3, the problem facing Earth seems clear. The amount of carbon dioxide in Earth's atmosphere is increasing. Like so many problems facing Earth, this can be tied directly to overpopulation of the planet.
    1