Answer:
The table shows an exponential function
Explanation:
Linear vs Exponential Functions
A linear function is written as:
![y=mx+b](https://img.qammunity.org/2021/formulas/mathematics/middle-school/yj5waqmoy4i54laybzhhshd88hyo5w5rj5.png)
where m and b are constants.
If a table contains a linear function, then for each pair of ordered pairs (x1,y1) and (x2,y2), the value of m must be constant.
The slope can be calculated as:
![\displaystyle m=(y_2-y_1)/(x_2-x_1)](https://img.qammunity.org/2021/formulas/mathematics/high-school/41kulvff1pgimoc7unwlsr8pc5vgedtyrp.png)
An exponential function is written as:
![y=y_o.r^x](https://img.qammunity.org/2021/formulas/mathematics/high-school/koulmiuwgz4j47nkaykpsw50nkcqy65lr9.png)
Where r is the ratio and yo is a constant.
If a table contains an exponential function, for two ordered pairs (x1,y1) and (x2,y2), the value of r must be constant.
The ratio can be calculated as:
![\displaystyle r=\sqrt[x2-x1]{(y2)/(y1)}](https://img.qammunity.org/2021/formulas/mathematics/high-school/jo0ky9hbydskra3j19qu4yc6ccssidiuuo.png)
Calculate the slope for (0,4) and (1,2):
![\displaystyle m=(2-4)/(1-0)=-2](https://img.qammunity.org/2021/formulas/mathematics/high-school/sj81hkfybyo9x60jecn3jqkpa2snauxcbs.png)
Calculate the slope for (1,2) and (2,1):
![\displaystyle m=(1-2)/(2-1)=-1](https://img.qammunity.org/2021/formulas/mathematics/high-school/niwnftnzoj2ou9hl465g11r28mi39qjtfy.png)
Since the slope is not the same, the function is not linear.
Now calculate the ratio for (0,4) and (1,2)
![\displaystyle r=\sqrt[1-0]{(1)/(2)}](https://img.qammunity.org/2021/formulas/mathematics/high-school/hfl0vvh1hclb91rqaekakqj2hsh0uelqgq.png)
The radical of index 1 is simply equal to its argument:
![\displaystyle r=(1)/(2)](https://img.qammunity.org/2021/formulas/mathematics/high-school/gg7ofw0xl5m6zhqnsc0o4abpmm9h0adb7f.png)
Now calculate the ratio for (0,4) and (2,1)
![\displaystyle r=\sqrt[2-0]{(1)/(4)}](https://img.qammunity.org/2021/formulas/mathematics/high-school/y1b68m809u65f63uj7ob41wxd7l69xs1qa.png)
![\displaystyle r=\sqrt{(1)/(4)}](https://img.qammunity.org/2021/formulas/mathematics/high-school/g9442p03ohtwha87lmrbtilwovd82t4mo7.png)
![\displaystyle r=(1)/(2)](https://img.qammunity.org/2021/formulas/mathematics/high-school/gg7ofw0xl5m6zhqnsc0o4abpmm9h0adb7f.png)
Testing other points we'll find the same ratio, thus the table is an exponential function