Try it on paper first. A hint, the key idea and the worked solution are here when you need them.
The areas of five circles were measured as , , , and for the radii , , , and . Which family of function is natural? Estimate the area for .
Choose the family from the data: a straight line for equal steps, a parabola for a square law, a reciprocal for a constant product. Trust a model inside the range of its data, not far outside it.
Have you tried it?
Work it out on paper first. It is fine to get stuck or make a mistake: that is how we learn. When you are ready, go through the solution one step at a time, and check each step against your own.
Step 1. The family. , a square law.
Step 2. The number . Least squares gives , very close to .
Step 3. The estimate. .
Answer: , about at .
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