Final answer:
The equation that represents a linear function is B) y = 2x + 3, as it is in the form y = mx + b suitable for a linear equation, whereas the other options represent different types of functions.
Step-by-step explanation:
From the options provided, the equation that represents a linear function is B) y = 2x + 3. A linear function is in the form y = mx + b, where 'm' is the slope and 'b' is the y-intercept. Option B aligns with this form, as 2 is the slope and 3 is the y-intercept.
Option A, y = x^2, is a quadratic function, not linear. Option C, y = √x, represents a square root function, and Option D, y = |x|, represents an absolute value function, which are also not linear functions.
In Practice Test 4, examples of linear equations include A) y = -3x, B) y = 0.2 + 0.74x, and C) y = -9.4 - 2x, which are all in the linear form of y = mx + b. These options illustrate that a linear equation results in a straight line when graphed on a two-dimensional x-y plane. This distinction helps identify linear functions amongst other types of functions.