Given real$-$world data for weekly Texas regular conventional retail gasoline prices $($in Dollars

per Gallon$),$ sourced from the U$.$S$.$ Energy Information Administration, please make

predictions for the retail price of regular gasoline disclosed in the week following next week

$(03/18/2024).$ Please note that the most up$-$to$-$date data was not given in the current version of

dataset, which will be released on Mar. $11$th $($next Monday$).$ You will receive this updated data

on Canvas next Monday. $(40$ points$)$

$1.$ Weighted Moving Average Method: The length of the time window and the weights

assigned to each data point should be thoughtfully selected through your analysis, for

example, using trial and error. Please provide a brief explanation of your selections, along

with a detailed analysis and calculation process. $(10$ points$)$

$2.$ Exponential Smoothing Method: Choose an appropriate $$ through your understanding

or analysis, like trial and error. Explain your selection and provide a detailed analysis and

calculation process. $(10$ points$)$

$3.$ Linear Regression Method: Provide a detailed analysis and calculation process. Note that

the entire time$-$series data is NOT LINEAR, so it$$s highly recommended to use a portion

of the data for forecasting. $(10$ points$)$

$4.$ Forecasting Accuracy: No action is required for this question. Your score will be based

on the accuracy of your best forecast $($from one of the three methods above$)$ compared to

the actual price of regular gasoline in Texas for the week after next week. The actual

price for your predictions will be disclosed on $03/18/2024.(10$ points$)$

Tips:

a$.$ You can choose to use part $($e$.$g$.,$ the most recent data$)$ of the given data in your

predictions. If you decide to do this, please give a brief explanation of it$.$