If the line f(x) 1/2x - 4 was stretched by a factor of k = 3 then which of the following features of the function would change

Only the y-intercept
Neither the slope nor y-intercept
Only the slope
Both the slope and the y- intercept

1 answer

When you stretch a linear function of the form \( f(x) = mx + b \) vertically by a factor \( k \), where \( m \) is the slope and \( b \) is the y-intercept, the new function becomes \( f(x) = k(mx + b) \).

For the given function:

\[ f(x) = \frac{1}{2}x - 4 \]

The slope \( m = \frac{1}{2} \) and the y-intercept \( b = -4 \). When we stretch this function by a factor of \( k = 3 \):

\[ g(x) = 3\left(\frac{1}{2}x - 4\right) = \frac{3}{2}x - 12 \]

Now, we see that:

  • The new slope is \( \frac{3}{2} \), which is different from the original slope \( \frac{1}{2} \).
  • The new y-intercept is \( -12 \), which is different from the original y-intercept \( -4 \).

Since both the slope and the y-intercept change, the correct answer is:

Both the slope and the y-intercept.