Use the table to answer the question.

x y

6 16
15 43
Write the equation of the linear function that models the relationship shown in the table. Enter your answer in y=mx+b
y
=
m
x
+
b
form.

(1 point)

1 answer

To find the equation of the linear function in the form \( y = mx + b \), we need to determine the slope (\( m \)) and the y-intercept (\( b \)).

  1. Calculate the slope (\( m \)): The slope formula is given by:

\[ m = \frac{y_2 - y_1}{x_2 - x_1} \]

Using the points \( (6, 16) \) and \( (15, 43) \):

  • \( x_1 = 6 \), \( y_1 = 16 \)
  • \( x_2 = 15 \), \( y_2 = 43 \)

Substituting the values into the slope formula:

\[ m = \frac{43 - 16}{15 - 6} = \frac{27}{9} = 3 \]

  1. Use one of the points to find the y-intercept (\( b \)): We can use the point \( (6, 16) \) and the slope \( m = 3 \) in the equation \( y = mx + b \):

\[ 16 = 3(6) + b \]

This simplifies to:

\[ 16 = 18 + b \]

Now, solve for \( b \):

\[ b = 16 - 18 = -2 \]

  1. Write the final equation: Now that we have \( m \) and \( b \), we can write the equation:

\[ y = 3x - 2 \]

Thus, the equation of the linear function is:

\[ y = 3x - 2 \]