Final answer:
The points plotted by Eric to show equivalent ratios form a straight line, as they represent a consistent proportional relationship between x and y values. Therefore, answer B) The points form a straight line is correct. However, the description contains inconsistencies that do not typically represent equivalent ratios.
Step-by-step explanation:
When Eric plots points showing equivalent ratios on the coordinate plane, the points should create a specific pattern depending on the relationship between the x and y values of these points. If the ratios are equivalent, this implies a consistent proportional relationship between the x and y values. The result of plotting such points would be that they lie on a straight line because each point is a scalar multiple of the others, defining a linear relationship. Therefore, the correct answer is B) The points form a straight line.
For example, if one plot shows a line from (0,2) to (3,2), it indicates a horizontal line at y=2. If the description also included a line from (0,8) to (3,2), this would seem contradictory because these points do not form a line with consistent y-values and may not represent equivalent ratios. However, if another line from (0,3) to (3,3) is plotted, this is another horizontal line, but at y=3. From the context given, all three lines would be parallel to each other and along the x-axis, which suggests that there may have been a mistake in the description. Nevertheless, if the plotted points were all on lines parallel to the x-axis at different y-values, it would not represent equivalent ratios, as each line would represent a different ratio (assuming x is not zero).