To determine the type of function that could model the cost of a rideshare as a function of time, we can analyze the values given in the table.
The costs provided are as follows:
- At 8 hours: $22.24
- At 9 hours: $25.02
- At 10 hours: $27.80
- At 11 hours: $30.58
- At 12 hours: $33.36
Looking at the difference between consecutive costs:
- From 8 to 9 hours: $25.02 - $22.24 = $2.78
- From 9 to 10 hours: $27.80 - $25.02 = $2.78
- From 10 to 11 hours: $30.58 - $27.80 = $2.78
- From 11 to 12 hours: $33.36 - $30.58 = $2.78
The difference in cost is constant at $2.78 for each additional hour of rideshare. This indicates that the cost increases linearly with time.
Since the cost is increasing at a constant rate, the appropriate type of function to model the relationship between time, \( x \), and cost, \( y \), is a linear function.
Therefore, the answer is:
linear function