The following data represent the square footage and rents (dollars per month) for apartments in the Del Mar area of San Diego, California.

Square Footage, x ………………………. Rent per Month, R

686 …………………………………..… 1600

770 …………………………………..… 1665

817 …………………………………..… 1750

800 …………………………………..… 1685

 809 …………………………………..… 1700

901 …………………………………..… 1770

803 …………………………………..… 1725

(a) Using a graphing utility, draw a scatter diagram of the data treating square footage as the independent variable. What type of relation appears to exist between square footage and rent?

(b) Based on your response to part (a), find either a linear or quadratic model that describes the relation between square footage and rent.

(c) Use your model to predict the rent of an apartment in San Diego that is 850 square feet.