Final answer:
The function p(x) = 3x^2 - 4 is not a linear function but instead a quadratic function, as identified by its x^2 term. The graph of this function is a parabola, not a straight line, so the answer is B. False.
Step-by-step explanation:
The function p(x) = 3x^2 - 4 is not a linear function. Linear functions have the general form y = mx + b, where m and b are constants, and the graph of a linear function is a straight line.
Since p(x) is a polynomial of degree 2 (due to the x^2 term), it is actually a quadratic function, not linear. The graph of a quadratic function is a parabola, which is a curved line.
Therefore, the correct answer to whether p(x) is a linear function is B. False.