Question

Decide whether each equation represents a linear situation.

1. y = 2x

2. y = 2/x

3. y = x (2 squared)

Answer 1

1) y=2x: Here the exponent of "x" is 1. This is a sure giveaway that this equation is linear.

3) y = x^2 (not x(2 squared): Here the exponent of x is 2, meaning that this function is classified as a "quadratic." y=x^2 is definitely not a linear relationship.

2) Think about this one for a while, and then come up with a tentative answer. Linear function or not a linear function? If puzzled, try graphing
y=2/x and then come to a conclusion.