Final answer:
Michele can conclude that the linear function with the smallest slope will have the flattest line near the intersection point (5, 3) and will have a slower rate of change in the y-value for each unit increase in x compared to the other intersecting functions.
Step-by-step explanation:
When Michele notices that three linear functions intersect at the point (5, 3), it's called a point of concurrency. All three functions share this point on the graph, suggesting they all have the same value at x = 5. Regarding the linear function with the smallest slope, Michele can conclude that this function will be the flattest close to the point of intersection when compared with the other two functions. Essentially, the slope represents the steepness of the line or how much y changes for a unit increase in x. The smaller the slope, the flatter the line.
Using the provided information, we can refer to the slope (or rise over run) as explained in Figure A1. The slope (m) of a line is constant along its entire length, and therefore the line with the smallest slope would be less steep than others.
Comparatively, if another line had a steeper angle of ascent or descent, its slope would be larger in magnitude. So, from the intersection point (5, 3), the line representing the linear function with the smallest slope will rise or fall at a slower rate than the others.