Final answer:
The function f(x) = -2x + 1 is linear because it is in the form of y = mx + b, with a constant slope and y-intercept, which defines a straight line.
Step-by-step explanation:
The student has provided the function f(x) = -2x + 1. To determine whether this function is linear or exponential, we must look at the form of the equation. A linear equation is typically in the form y = mx + b, where m is the slope and b is the y-intercept.
Since the given function has a constant rate of change (represented by the coefficient -2), it represents a straight line with a slope of -2 and a y-intercept of 1. Therefore, the function is linear, not exponential.
For a function to be exponential, it would need to have a constant base raised to a variable power, typically in the form y = ab^x, where a is a constant and b is the base of the exponential function. Since the given function lacks this form, it cannot be exponential.