ANSWER
[tex]y= {(x+ 1)}^{2}[/tex]
EXPLANATION
The given points are:
(1, 4), (2, 9), and (3, 16)
It is obvious that the function is not linear because there is no constant difference among the y-values.
We can however manipulate the y-values to quickly identify the function.
[tex]4 = {2}^{2} = {(1 + 1)}^{2} [/tex]
[tex]9= {3}^{2} = {(2 + 1)}^{2} [/tex]
[tex]16= {4}^{2} = {(3 + 1)}^{2} [/tex]
We can infer from the pattern that, the function is;
[tex]y= {(x+ 1)}^{2} [/tex]