Solution (B)

∑𝑥𝑖 = 45; n=9 Thus applying 3x3 Matrix in system of linear Equations yields the
values of a

∑𝑦𝑖 = 47.5;

9 45 285 𝑎0 47 ⋅ 5
∑𝑥 2
𝑖 = 285; [ 45 285 2025 ] [ 𝑎1 ] = [ 325 ]
285 2025 15333 𝑎2 2438
∑𝑥 3 𝑖 = 2025;

∑𝑥 4 𝑖 = 15333;

∑𝑥𝑖 𝑦𝑖 = 325; ∑𝑥 2 𝑖 𝑦𝑖 = 2438

Solving Systems of Linear Equations Using Excel Gives us the Results.

A, 3x3 9 45 285
45 285 2025
rhs 47.5
285 2025 15333
325
2438

Inverse, A, 3x3 1.619048 -0.67857 0.059524 The a-values

-0.67857 0.341342 -0.03247 1.488095
0.059524 -0.03247 0.003247 -0.45184
0.191017

Thus the Parabola-Fit is; 𝒚 = 𝟎. 𝟏𝟗𝟏𝒙𝟐 − 𝟎. 𝟒𝟓𝟏𝟖𝒙 + 𝟏. 𝟒𝟖𝟖𝟏

NB: Thus when comparing two regression methods, the curve or parabola fits the data points accurately
while the linear extrapolates outwards. See the trend of the parabola below which follows exactly the
data points given.

The Parabola-Fit Curve

14
12
10
8
6
4
2 y = 0.191x2 - 0.4518x + 1.4881
0 R² = 0.9949
0 2 4 6 8 10