Final answer:
The graph of the equation y = 0.5x³ is a cubic curve, as it is a polynomial of degree three, which creates an S-shaped curve with distinctive turns.
Step-by-step explanation:
The graph of the equation y = 0.5x³ is a cubic curve. This is because the equation is a polynomial of degree three, which means its highest exponent is three (as in x³). The graph of a cubic equation is known for its characteristic shape, which includes either one or two turns, causing it to resemble an elongated S-shape in its most basic form. This curve does not represent a straight line, parabola, or an exponential curve. A straight line is represented by equations of the first degree, a parabola by a quadratic equation (second degree), and an exponential curve by an equation where the variable x is in the exponent, unlike this cubic equation.