Question

by visual inspection, determine the best-fitting regression model for the scatterplot.
a. quadratic
b. no pattern
c. linear
d. exponential

Explanation:

1. Linear check: A linear model has points following a straight line. Here, the vertical decrease between points gets smaller as x increases, so it is not linear.
2. Quadratic check: A quadratic model forms a U or upside-down U curve. The points do not curve back, so this does not fit.
3. Exponential check: An exponential decay model shows points that decrease quickly at first, then the rate of decrease slows, which matches the pattern of the scatterplot.
4. No pattern check: The points clearly follow a downward trend, so there is a pattern.

Answer:

D. Exponential