Question

Look at this function:

x y
−12 −8
−8 −6
−4 −4
0 −2
Mina said that the function is linear. Jenna said that the function is nonlinear. Which of the following explains who is correct?
A) Mina is correct; the function is linear.
B) Jenna is correct; the function is nonlinear.
C) Both Mina and Jenna are correct.
D) Neither Mina nor Jenna is correct.

Answer 1

To determine whether a function is linear or nonlinear, we need to check if it satisfies the criteria for a linear function. In this case, the given function is nonlinear, as the values of y are not proportional to the values of x.

Step-by-step explanation:

To determine whether the given function is linear or nonlinear, we need to check if it satisfies the criteria for a linear function. In a linear function, the change in the dependent variable (y) is directly proportional to the change in the independent variable (x). If the function can be written in the form y = mx + b, where m is the slope and b is the y-intercept, then it is linear.

Let's look at the given function: x y -12 -8 -8 -6 -4 -4 0 -2.

From the given data, we can see that the values of y are not proportional to the values of x. Therefore, the function is not linear. Thus, Jenna is correct; the function is nonlinear. Therefore, the correct answer is B) Jenna is correct; the function is nonlinear.