To determine the rate of change (slope) of the linear function given the points (2.6, -6) and (3.2, 3), we can use the formula for the slope \( m \) of a line, which is:
\[ m = \frac{y_2 - y_1}{x_2 - x_1} \]
Here, we can use the points:
- \( (x_1, y_1) = (2.6, -6) \)
- \( (x_2, y_2) = (3.2, 3) \)
Now substituting these values into the formula:
\[ m = \frac{3 - (-6)}{3.2 - 2.6} = \frac{3 + 6}{3.2 - 2.6} = \frac{9}{0.6} \]
Now, calculate the slope:
\[ m = \frac{9}{0.6} = 15 \]
Therefore, the rate of change \( m \) of the linear function is m = 15.