The following data shows the total spend on Research and development by
institutions of higher learning in the US, in billions of dollars for the period
2003 – 2012. Find the best-fit equation for the data shown.

years(since 200) 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11
spending($ in bilion) 39.7 45.6 48.4 51.5 54.1 56. 58.4 60.1 61.7

Find the equation of best fit (preferably in multiple ways):
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1. Find the equation of best fit (preferably in multiple ways):