Given a table of values, how can you determine whether the function is linear, quadratic, or exponential?

If the first difference is the same value, the model is linear. If the second difference is the the same it will be quadratic. If the number of times the distance has been taken before finding repeated values exceeds 5, it may be exponential or another special equation.

Sample Response: A function is linear if it has a constant, additive rate of change for consecutive inputs. A function is exponential if it has a constant, multiplicative rate of change for consecutive inputs. A quadratic function does not have a constant rate of change, but it is symmetric on each side of the vertex.