Find quadratic trend line

Question

The following table gives the total cost (in thousands of dollars), to produce a given number of bales of cotton (in thousands of bales).

 

q          C(q)

 

2          $217.60

4          $271.12

6          $325.50

8          $380.80

10        $437.00

12        $494.16

15        $581.70

20        $732.00

 

Use Excel to find a QUADRATIC trendline and report your function, in terms of q, below. Report the three decimal places (thousandths) in your answer. (Use the Preview button to check your syntax before you submit your answer.)

Cost function, C(q)= ?

Answer 1

Enter these values in a spreadsheet.  All the q values on the first column and all the C(q) values on the second column.  Then, highlight all the values at once.  Next, go to insert and choose scatter plot.  Excel will generate a scatter plot for you.  Right-click on any point and choose the trendline type you want.  Finally, check the box to allow you to display the trendline equation.