Question

Which relationship does NOT represent a linear function? the total cost of a large pizza based on $9.95 plus $0.75 for each additional topping the ant population for a colony that begins with 5 ants and doubles in number every two weeks the amount of gasoline in a vehicle that begins with 22 gallons and decreases by one gallon every 28 miles a history student’s grade on a test that begins at 100 but decreases by 4 points for each question answered incorrectly

Answer 1

The ant population for a colony that begins with 5 ants and doubles in number every two weeks.

Explanation:

Linear function can be written with the next equation:

y = ax + b

which basically means that for every change in x, y will change proportionally, always by the same value.

- for each topping, price will rise for $0.75

- for every 28 miles there will be 1 gallon less

- for every incorrect answer, student will lose 4 points

However, for every two weeks ant population will not always grow equally; it will start from 5, after two weeks there would be 10 ants, then 20, then 40, 80 etc.

Since there is not constant and equal change in ant population for every two weeks, this function is not considered linear.