Use input-output tables to determine which graph accurately represents the function f(x) = 1/2x + 3 with inputs of -4, -2, 0, 2, and 4.

1 answer

To determine which graph accurately represents the function \( f(x) = \frac{1}{2}x + 3 \) with the specified inputs, we will first calculate the output values for each input using the function.

Let's create an input-output table for \( f(x) \):

  1. For \( x = -4 \): \[ f(-4) = \frac{1}{2}(-4) + 3 = -2 + 3 = 1 \]

  2. For \( x = -2 \): \[ f(-2) = \frac{1}{2}(-2) + 3 = -1 + 3 = 2 \]

  3. For \( x = 0 \): \[ f(0) = \frac{1}{2}(0) + 3 = 0 + 3 = 3 \]

  4. For \( x = 2 \): \[ f(2) = \frac{1}{2}(2) + 3 = 1 + 3 = 4 \]

  5. For \( x = 4 \): \[ f(4) = \frac{1}{2}(4) + 3 = 2 + 3 = 5 \]

Now that we have calculated the output values, let's summarize the input-output pairs:

\[ \begin{array}{|c|c|} \hline x & f(x) \ \hline -4 & 1 \ -2 & 2 \ 0 & 3 \ 2 & 4 \ 4 & 5 \ \hline \end{array} \]

The pairs are:

  • (-4, 1)
  • (-2, 2)
  • (0, 3)
  • (2, 4)
  • (4, 5)

To find the correct graph, plot these points on the graph, and ensure that it best fits the linear equation \( f(x) = \frac{1}{2}x + 3 \). The line should rise gradually due to the slope of \( \frac{1}{2} \), indicating that for every 2 units in the x-direction, the y-value increases by 1 unit.

You can now compare these points with the provided graph options to identify which one passes through all or most of these points.