se the table to answer the question.

To find the rate of change (m), we need to calculate the difference in y-values divided by the difference in x-values.

Using the table, we can see that the difference in y-values is 8 - 4 = 4, and the difference in x-values is -3 - 1 = -4.

So, the rate of change is m = 4 / -4 = -1.

To find the initial value (b), we can use the formula y = mx + b and substitute the values from one of the points. Let's use the point (1, 4).

4 = -1 * 1 + b

4 = -1 + b

b = 4 + 1

b = 5

Therefore, the initial value is b = 5.

The rate of change is m = -1, and the initial value is b = 5.