Question

What is the difference between a linear function and a nonlinear function? Explain what each looks like when represented as a table and as a graph.

Answer 1

A linear function has a constant additive rate of change, while a nonlinear function does not. For a table of values to be linear, the dependent variable must have a constant rate of change as the independent variable increases by 1. On a graph, the function must be a straight line to be linear.

Answer 2

The equation of a linear function has no exponents higher than 1, and the graph of a linear function is a straight line. The equation of a nonlinear function has at least one exponent higher than 1, and the graph of a nonlinear function is a curved line.