To find the initial value (y-intercept) \( b \) of a linear function given the slope \( m \) and a point \( (x_0, y_0) \), we can use the slope-intercept form of a linear equation:
\[ y = mx + b \]
We can plug in the values we have:
- The slope \( m = -\frac{4}{7} \)
- The point \( (14, 3) \): here \( x_0 = 14 \) and \( y_0 = 3 \).
Substituting these values into the equation, we get:
\[ 3 = -\frac{4}{7}(14) + b \]
Now, calculate \( -\frac{4}{7}(14) \):
\[ -\frac{4}{7} \times 14 = -\frac{56}{7} = -8 \]
Now, our equation becomes:
\[ 3 = -8 + b \]
To solve for \( b \), add 8 to both sides:
\[ b = 3 + 8 = 11 \]
Thus, the initial value \( b \) is \( 11 \).
Therefore, the correct response is:
b = 11 or b equals 11.