If the ratios of consecutive y-values are equal, then the table represents an exponential function. If the difference of consecutive y-values is constant, then the table represents a linear function.
Linear function
Practice makes perfect
We will determine whether the table represents a linear or an exponential function. If the ratios of consecutive y-values are equal, then the table represents an exponential function. If the difference of consecutive y-values is constant, then the table represents a linear function. Consider the given table.
x
- 4
0
4
8
y
1
0
- 1
- 2
Let's calculate the difference between consecutive y-values.
0-1= - 1, -1 -0= - 1, - 2-(- 1)= - 1
We can see that the differences are constant, so the table represents a linear function.
