Question

Question 4 which of the following Data sets is best described by a linear function

Answer 1

Answer: c

Explanation:

In order for the data set to represent a linear function, the slope (m) must be equal for all the given points.
`m=(y_2-y_1)/(x_2-x_1)`

a) (2, 4), (3, 9), (4, 16), (5, 25)

the x-values increase by 1, the y-values increase by 5, 7, and 9

the y/x is not constant for all of the coordinates in the data set so it is NOT a linear function.

b) (-2, -1), (-3, 0), (-4, 1), (-5, 0)

the x-values decrease by 1, the y-values increase by 1 except the last one decreases by 1.

the y/x is not constant for all of the coordinates in the data set so it is NOT a linear function.

c) (2, 12), (3, 6), (4, 0), (5, -6)

the x-values increase by 1, the y-values decrease by 6

the y/x is constant for all of the coordinates in the data set so it IS a linear function

d) (2, 1), (3, 0), (4, 1), (5, 4)

the x-values increase by 1, the y-values decrease by 1 then increase by 1 then increase by 3.

the y/x is not constant for all of the coordinates in the data set so it is NOT a linear function.