Question

the approximate number of zombies in a certain city over time is given in the table below. answer the questions below to determine what kind of function would best fit the data, linear or exponential.

number of hours since zombies first spotted, x	1	2	3	4
approx. number of zombies, f(x)	18	79	361	1657

answer attempt 1 out of 2

function would best fit the data because as x increases, the y values change. rounded to the nearest .5, the of this function is approximately

Explanation:

Step1: Check differences for linearity

Find differences between consecutive $y$-values. $79 - 18=61$, $361 - 79 = 282$, $1657 - 361=1296$. Differences are not constant, so not linear.

Step2: Check ratios for exponentiality

Find ratios of consecutive $y$-values. $\frac{79}{18}\approx4.4$, $\frac{361}{79}\approx4.6$, $\frac{1657}{361}\approx4.6$. Ratios are approximately constant.

Answer:

Exponential; by a non - constant amount; ratio; 4.5