The purpose of the Signature Assignment is to have you work with real-life data to answer a real-life question using the tools, technology, and skills of MTH/219. In Week 3, you will determine the type of polynomial your data is best represented. You will use that polynomial to make a prediction about your data.

Review the instructional video on how to use regression in Microsoft® Excel® (if you have forgotten from Week 2).

Input your data into Microsoft® Excel® (data and years).

Create a scatterplot.

Insert a polynomial trendline with degree of 4. Make sure to show the equation and the R-square value. Also make sure you label each axis and give a title to your graph. Then repeat this process for a 5th degree polynomial.

Answer the following questions in the same Microsoft® Excel® worksheet. Each question should be 175 to 260 words.

1. Which of the polynomials fit the data better? How can you tell?
2. Compare and contrast the polynomial regression with the linear regression from Week 2. What is the best model for your data so far?
3. What happens to your polynomial models over time? In other words, what do you expect to happen to the value if you measure it 50 years from now?

Save your Microsoft® Excel® file, including the graphic and your commentary.

Do you think that poverty is a cause or a result of prejudice and discrimination? Why? How are ethnicity and religion related to prejudice, discrimination, and poverty? 150 words

Discrimination against a racial or ethnic group becomes a larger problem when practiced by an institution–especially a governmental one. Do you think institutional discrimination is common? What do you think it looks like? 150 words

Religion is a significant part of daily life for many Americans.  Consider holidays in the U.S. with a religious basis, and select an example of a controversy surrounding the holiday, such as public displays.  How would you address the controversy if you were a member of government asked to intervene? 150 words