In this activity, students use the TI-Nspire handheld to determine if a linear model or a quadratic model best fits a set of given data involving engine power. Students look at the pattern of data points and the sum of squares of the deviations to determine which model fits the data.

Before students begin the activity, they need to be familiar with linear and quadratic functions, linear regression concepts and data analysis, and modeling linear relationships from real-world data.

This activity is designed to be student-centered. Students may need help remembering previously learned concepts or with operations on the handheld.

The activity can be extended to solving a system of equations or students could think of other real-world phenomena that fits quadratic models.