To find the equation of the linear function in the form \(y = mx + b\), we can use the two given points from the table: \((6, 16)\) and \((15, 43)\).
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Calculate the slope (m) using the formula: \[ m = \frac{y_2 - y_1}{x_2 - x_1} \] where \((x_1, y_1) = (6, 16)\) and \((x_2, y_2) = (15, 43)\).
Plugging in the values: \[ m = \frac{43 - 16}{15 - 6} = \frac{27}{9} = 3 \]
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Use the slope (m) and one of the points to find the y-intercept (b). We can use the point \((6, 16)\): \[ y = mx + b \] Substituting \(m = 3\), \(x = 6\), and \(y = 16\): \[ 16 = 3(6) + b \] \[ 16 = 18 + b \] \[ b = 16 - 18 = -2 \]
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Write the equation of the linear function: \[ y = 3x - 2 \]
Thus, the equation of the linear function that models the relationship shown in the table is: \[ y = 3x - 2 \]