Question: Monthly data from March 2014 through September 2017 are provided below for the number of lunches served in public schools. You are charged with making

Monthly data from March 2014 through September 2017 are provided below for the number of lunches served in public schools. You are charged with making a 12-month forecast of the meals to be served. Begin by plotting the data and examining it for the patterns of trend and seasonality.

Month

Meals Served


Month

Meals Served

Mar-14

108,371,749


Jan-16

98,887,496

Apr-14

99,199,094


Feb-16

96,477,065

May-14

92,195,689


Mar-16

114,094,756

Jun-14

81,447,374


Apr-16

96,093,092

Jul-14

72,792,981


May-16

107,527,897

Aug-14

78,931,911


Jun-16

87,135,336

Sep-14

89,982,843


Jul-16

72,397,374

Oct-14

96,761,533


Aug-16

88,657,480

Nov-14

92,772,827


Sep-16

94,566,627

Dec-14

83,103,478


Oct-16

106,889,806

Jan-15

93,109,115


Nov-16

97,638,605

Feb-15

93,267,674


Dec-16

83,280,944

Mar-15

105,290,897


Jan-17

102,522,133

Apr-15

103,625,467


Feb-17

95,537,211

May-15

100,549,323


Mar-17

111,462,237

Jun-15

85,155,854


Apr-17

103,542,365

Jul-15

71,406,448


May-17

111,242,080

Aug-15

85,623,392


Jun-17

85,765,747

Sep-15

94,828,432


Jul-17

78,943,762

Oct-15

97,917,922


Aug-17

89,965,185

Nov-15

95,753,418


Sep-17

92,934,809

Dec-15

83,145,194




Choose an appropriate model for the data and forecast for the next 12 months.

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