The table shows the colonial population estimates of the American colonies for each decade from 1700 through

Question:

The table shows the colonial population estimates of the American colonies for each decade from 1700 through 1780. (Source: U.S. Census Bureau)

Population DATA Year 1700 250,900 331,700 1710 1720 466,200 1730 629,400 1740 905,600 1750 1,170,800 1760 1,593,600 1770

Let y represent the population in the year t, with t = 0 corresponding to 1700.
(a) Use the regression feature of a graphing utility to find an exponential model for the data.
(b) Use the regression feature of the graphing utility to find a quadratic model for the data.
(c) Use the graphing utility to plot the data and the models from parts (a) and (b) in the same viewing window.
(d) Which model is a better fit for the data? Would you use this model to predict the population of the United States in 2020? Explain your reasoning.