16Hit1600
Problem-Solving and Data AnalysisEasy–MediumEquation matching a table

Problem-Solving and Data Analysis practice question

x | y 1 | 5 2 | 8 3 | 11 4 | 14

Which equation describes the relationship between x and y shown in the table?

  1. A. y = 3x + 2Correct
  2. B. y = 2x + 3
  3. C. y = 5x
  4. D. y = x + 4

Answer: A. y = 3x + 2

y rises by 3 each time x rises by 1, so the slope is 3; when x = 1, y = 5 = 3(1) + 2. So y = 3x + 2. Check x = 4: 12 + 2 = 14.

Why the other answers are wrong

B. y = 2x + 3
2x + 3 gives 5 at x = 1 but 7 at x = 2, not 8.
C. y = 5x
5x gives 5 at x = 1 but 10 at x = 2, not 8.
D. y = x + 4
x + 4 gives 5 at x = 1 but 6 at x = 2, not 8.

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