Is a linear model or a quadratic model a better fit?

A linear function represents a line, a quadratic function represents a parabola.

The dots fit a parabolic behaviour (they are descendent at the beginning, they reach a minimum and then start growing again), so a quadratic model could fit the dots much better than a linear one.

(x3 + 6x2 + 2x - 6) • (x - 1)

step-by-step explanation:

polynomial long division :

3.2     polynomial long division

dividing :   x4+5x3-4x2-8x+6

                              ("dividend")

by         :     x-1     ("divisor")

dividend     x4   +   5x3   -   4x2   -   8x   +   6

- divisor   * x3     x4   -   x3            

remainder         6x3   -   4x2   -   8x   +   6

- divisor   * 6x2         6x3   -   6x2        

remainder             2x2   -   8x   +   6

- divisor   * 2x1             2x2   -   2x    

remainder               -   6x   +   6

- divisor   * -6x0               -   6x   +   6

remainder                     0

quotient :   x3+6x2+2x-6   remainder:   0