The table shows a function. Is the function linear or nonlinear?

Question

x y
3 9
11 17
15 19

Answer 1

To determine if the function is linear or nonlinear, we need to check if there is a constant rate of change between any two points.

Let's calculate the rate of change between the first two points:

(11-3)/(17-9) = 8/8 = 1

Now let's calculate the rate of change between the second and third points:

(19-17)/(15-11) = 2/4 = 0.5

Since the rate of change is not constant, the function is nonlinear.