Final answer:
To turn the equation y = 2x^3 - 4 into a linear function, the exponent on the variable x needs to be changed from 3 to 1. Option D (Change the exponent from 3 to 1) is the correct adjustment that will result in a linear function y = 2x - 4.
Step-by-step explanation:
The student asks which adjustment would turn the equation y = 2x^3 - 4 into a linear function. A linear function is of the form y = mx + b, where m and b are constants, and x is the variable raised to the power of 1. Therefore, to convert the given cubic equation into a linear function, the exponent of x must be changed.
The correct option is:
D. Change the exponent from 3 to 1.
Adjusting the equation from y = 2x^3 - 4 to y = 2x^1 - 4, or simply y = 2x - 4, changes the equation to linear form because the variable x is now to the first power, which is characteristic of linear equations.