Is the function represented by the table linear?

x
y
10
–6
11
1
12
6
13
12
Yes, because it has a constant rate of change.
Yes, because it does not have a constant rate of change.
No, because it has a constant rate of change.
No, because it does not have a constant rate of change.

1 answer

To determine if the function represented by the table is linear, we need to check if there is a constant rate of change between the values of \(y\) as \(x\) changes.

Let's calculate the differences:

  1. From \(x = 10\) to \(x = 11\):

    • \(y\) changes from \(-6\) to \(1\): \(1 - (-6) = 7\)
    • Change in \(x\): \(11 - 10 = 1\)
    • Rate of change: \(\frac{7}{1} = 7\)
  2. From \(x = 11\) to \(x = 12\):

    • \(y\) changes from \(1\) to \(6\): \(6 - 1 = 5\)
    • Change in \(x\): \(12 - 11 = 1\)
    • Rate of change: \(\frac{5}{1} = 5\)
  3. From \(x = 12\) to \(x = 13\):

    • \(y\) changes from \(6\) to \(12\): \(12 - 6 = 6\)
    • Change in \(x\): \(13 - 12 = 1\)
    • Rate of change: \(\frac{6}{1} = 6\)

Now we can summarize the rates of change:

  • From \(x = 10\) to \(x = 11\): \(7\)
  • From \(x = 11\) to \(x = 12\): \(5\)
  • From \(x = 12\) to \(x = 13\): \(6\)

Since the rates of change are not constant (7, 5, and 6 are different), the function represented by the table does not have a linear relationship.

Therefore, the answer is:

No, because it does not have a constant rate of change.