Question

Look at this function: x y −12 −8 −8 −6 −4 −4 0 −2 Mina said that the function is linear. Jenna said that the function is nonlinear. Which of the following explains who is correct?

A Mina, because for every 2-unit increase in x, there is an increase in y by 4

B Mina, because for every 4-unit increase in x, there is an increase in y by 2

C Jenna, because the point (0, −2) does not lie on the straight line that contains the other points

D Jenna, because the point (−12, −8) does not lie on the straight line that contains the other points

Answer 1

Answer: B

Explanation:

Answer 2

B Mina, because for every 4-unit increase in x, there is an increase in y by 2

Explanation:

This is a linear function because the change rate is regular from one point to the next.

The X values go -12, -8, -4, 0

The Y values go -8, -6, -4, -2

You can also verify it's linear by calculating the slope at two different locations. The slope between the first two pairs (-12,-8) and (-8,-6) equals to 2. Same goes for the other pairs... so, since it has a steady slope, it's linear.