Often times, laboratory data are fit to a curve in order to predict what future data will be. The "best fit curve" is that function that best relates the dependent variable in an experiment to the independent variable.

For example, the data tabulated below were recorded during an experiment over 4 successive minutes:

Time (min)	1	2	3	4
Power (watts)	3.0	0.9	0.27	.081

Your task:

1. Which of these (Time, Power) is the independent variable in this experiment? Which is the dependent variable?
2. Of all of the types of functions we've studied thus far, which type of function is the best to fit to these data? Explain your reasoning.
3. Devise the equation for your choice of "best fit" function. Show that it works at all data points listed.
4. Given your function, what Power would you expect to see at the 6-minute mark?