A linear function is written in the form f (x) mx b .
Ex) Sketch the graph of the function f (x) 2x 5
a) What is the slope of f (x)?
b) What is the average rate of
change in f (x) between any two values of x ?
For linear functions, the rate of change is equal to the slope.
Ex) Construct the linear function g(x) which has a y-intercept at 7 3 and a rate of change of . 4
Ex) A large cylindrical water tank initially holds 120 gal. of water. At time t = 0, a valve is turned on and begins filling the tank at a rate of 40 gal/min.
a) Find a linear function V which models the volume of water
in the tank at any time t after the valve is turned on.
b) If the tank has a capacity of 2000 gallons, how long will it
take to fill the tank after the valve is turned on? Ex) A company purchases a high volume printer/copier/scanner for $24,000. After 10 years, the equipment will have to be replaced. Its value at that time is expected to be $2000. Construct a linear function which expresses the value P of the equipment during the 10 years of its use.