16Hit1600
AlgebraEasy–MediumFunction from a table

Algebra practice question

x | f(x) 0 | 4 3 | −2

Which equation defines the linear function f?

  1. A. f(x) = −2x + 4Correct
  2. B. f(x) = 2x + 4
  3. C. f(x) = −2x − 2
  4. D. f(x) = 4x − 2

Answer: A. f(x) = −2x + 4

From x = 0 to x = 3, f falls from 4 to −2: slope (−2 − 4)/3 = −2. f(0) = 4 is the y-intercept. So f(x) = −2x + 4. Check: f(3) = −6 + 4 = −2.

Why the other answers are wrong

B. f(x) = 2x + 4
A slope of +2 would make f rise; the table shows f falling as x increases.
C. f(x) = −2x − 2
−2 is f(3), not the intercept. The intercept is f(0) = 4.
D. f(x) = 4x − 2
4x − 2 gives f(0) = −2, but the table says f(0) = 4.

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