16Hit1600
AlgebraEasy–MediumZero of a linear function from its intercept and rate

Algebra practice question

For the linear function f, f(0) = 12, and f(x) decreases by 4 each time x increases by 1. For what value of x is f(x) = 0?

Answer: 3

f(x) = 12 − 4x, so f(x) = 0 when 4x = 12, x = 3.

Common wrong answers

If you answered 4
4 is the rate of decrease, not the zero.
If you answered 48
48 is 12 × 4, multiplying instead of dividing.
If you answered -3
−3 has the wrong sign.

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