Question

If the function f(x) = -1/2x - 7 were graphed, which of the following would be true?

A.
The y-values would be negative.
B.
As the x-values increase, the y-values would increase.
C.
The x-values would be negative.
D.
As the x-values increase, the y-values would decrease.

Answer 1

ANSWER

D. As the x-values increase, the y-values would decrease

Step-by-step explanation

The given function is

`y = - (1)/(2) x - 7`


The slope of this function is

`m = - (1)/(2)`

Since the slope is negative, there is a negative or an inverse relationship between x and y.

As the values of x increases, the values of y decreases.

Also, as the values of x decreases, the values of y increases.

The first option is not true because as x is becoming bigger and bigger negatively, y will become positive.

For instance, when

`x = - 40`

`y = - (1)/(2) ( - 40) - 7`


This implies that,


`y = 20 - 7 = 13`

Options B is obviously not true because the function has a negative relationship between x and y.


Option C is also false because, x can be positive since it is the independent variable.

See graph



Therefore, the correct answer is option D.