Final answer:
To write a linear function with given values, we calculate the slope and y-intercept. The linear function is f(x) = -1/4x + 19/4.
Step-by-step explanation:
To write a linear function, we need to determine the slope (m) and the y-intercept (b) of the function.
Given that f(-1) = 5 and f(3) = 4, we can calculate the slope using the formula: m = (f(3) - f(-1)) / (3 - (-1)).
Plugging in the values, we get m = (4 - 5) / (3 + 1) = -1/4.
Next, we can use one of the points and the slope to find the y-intercept. Using f(-1) = 5, we can substitute -1 for x and 5 for f(x) in the equation f(x) = mx + b and solve for b.
5 = (-1/4)(-1) + b
5 = 1/4 + b
b = 5 - 1/4 = 19/4.
Therefore, the linear function is f(x) = -1/4x + 19/4.
Learn more about Writing a linear function