3.

2 Linear Functions
Essential Question How can you determine whether a function is
COMMON linear or nonlinear?
CORE
Learning Standards Finding Patterns for Similar Figures
HSA-CED.A.2
HSA-REI.D.10 Work with a partner. Copy and complete each table for the sequence of similar
HSF-IF.B.5 figures. (In parts (a) and (b), use the rectangle shown.) Graph the data in each table.
HSF-IF.C.7a
Decide whether each pattern is linear or nonlinear. Justify your conclusion.
HSF-LE.A.1b
a. perimeters of similar rectangles b. areas of similar rectangles

x x 1 2 3 4 5 x 1 2 3 4 5
P A
2x
P A

40 40

30 30

20 20

10 10

0 0
0 2 4 6 8 x 0 2 4 6 8 x

c. circumferences of circles of radius r d. areas of circles of radius r

r 1 2 3 4 5 r 1 2 3 4 5
C A

USING TOOLS C A

STRATEGICALLY 40 80
To be proficient in math,
you need to identify 30 60
relationships using tools,
such as tables and graphs. 20 40

10 20

0 0
0 2 4 6 8 r 0 2 4 6 8 r

Communicate Your Answer

2. How do you know that the patterns you found in Exploration 1 represent
functions?
3. How can you determine whether a function is linear or nonlinear?
4. Describe two real-life patterns: one that is linear and one that is nonlinear.
Use patterns that are different from those described in Exploration 1.

Section 3.2 Linear Functions 111

3.2 Lesson What You Will Learn
Identify linear functions using graphs, tables, and equations.
Graph linear functions using discrete and continuous data.
Core Vocabul
Vocabulary
larry Write real-life problems to fit data.
linear equation in
two variables, p. 112
Identifying Linear Functions
linear function, p. 112
nonlinear function, p. 112 A linear equation in two variables, x and y, is an equation that can be written in
the form y = mx + b, where m and b are constants. The graph of a linear equation is
solution of a linear equation
a line. Likewise, a linear function is a function whose graph is a nonvertical line.
in two variables, p. 114
A linear function has a constant rate of change and can be represented by a linear
discrete domain, p. 114
equation in two variables. A nonlinear function does not have a constant rate of
continuous domain, p. 114
change. So, its graph is not a line.
Previous
whole number
Identifying Linear Functions Using Graphs

Does the graph represent a linear or nonlinear function? Explain.

a. y b. y
3 3

1 1

−2 2 x −2 2 x

−3 −3

SOLUTION
a. The graph is not a line. b. The graph is a line.
So, the function is nonlinear. So, the function is linear.

Identifying Linear Functions Using Tables

Does the table represent a linear or nonlinear function? Explain.

a. b.
x 3 6 9 12 x 1 3 5 7
y 36 30 24 18 y 2 9 20 35

SOLUTION
+3 +3 +3 +2 +2 +2

a. b.
x 3 6 9 12 x 1 3 5 7
REMEMBER
y 36 30 24 18 y 2 9 20 35
A constant rate of change
describes a quantity that
−6 −6 −6 +7 + 11 + 15
changes by equal amounts
over equal intervals. As x increases by 3, y decreases by As x increases by 2, y increases by
6. The rate of change is constant. different amounts. The rate of change
is not constant.
So, the function is linear.
So, the function is nonlinear.

112 Chapter 3 Graphing Linear Functions

Monitoring Progress Help in English and Spanish at BigIdeasMath.com

Does the graph or table represent a linear or nonlinear function? Explain.

1. y 2. y
3
2
1

−2 2 x −2 2 x

−2
−3

3. 4.
x 0 1 2 3 x 1 2 3 4
y 3 5 7 9 y 16 8 4 2

Identifying Linear Functions Using Equations

Which of the following equations represent linear functions? Explain.

— 2
y = 3.8, y = √ x , y = 3x, y = —, y = 6(x − 1), and x 2 − y = 0
x

SOLUTION
— 2
You cannot rewrite the equations y = √x , y = 3x, y = —, and x 2 − y = 0 in the form
x
y = mx + b. So, these equations cannot represent linear functions.

You can rewrite the equation y = 3.8 as y = 0x + 3.8 and the equation
y = 6(x − 1) as y = 6x − 6. So, they represent linear functions.

Monitoring Progress Help in English and Spanish at BigIdeasMath.com

Does the equation represent a linear or nonlinear function? Explain.

3x
5. y = x + 9 6. y = — 7. y = 5 − 2x 2
5

Concept Summary
Representations of Functions
Words An output is 3 more than the input.
Equation y=x+3
Input-Output Table Mapping Diagram Graph
Input, x Output, y y
Input, x Output, y 6

−1 2 −1 2
4
0 3
0 3
1 4
1 4 2
2 5
2 5
−2 2 4 x

Section 3.2 Linear Functions 113

 Graphing Linear Functions
A solution of a linear equation in two variables is an ordered pair (x, y) that makes
the equation true. The graph of a linear equation in two variables is the set of points
(x, y) in a coordinate plane that represents all solutions of the equation. Sometimes
the points are distinct, and other times the points are connected.

Core Concept
Discrete and Continuous Domains
A discrete domain is a set of input values that consists of only certain numbers
in an interval.
Example: Integers from 1 to 5
−2 −1 0 1 2 3 4 5 6

A continuous domain is a set of input values that consists of all numbers in

an interval.
Example: All numbers from 1 to 5
−2 −1 0 1 2 3 4 5 6

Graphing Discrete Data

The linear function y = 15.95x represents the cost y (in dollars) of x tickets for a
museum. Each customer can buy a maximum of four tickets.
STUDY TIP a. Find the domain of the function. Is the domain discrete or continuous? Explain.
The domain of a function
b. Graph the function using its domain.
depends on the real-life
context of the function,
not just the equation that SOLUTION
represents the function. a. You cannot buy part of a ticket, only a certain number of tickets. Because
x represents the number of tickets, it must be a whole number. The maximum
number of tickets a customer can buy is four.
So, the domain is 0, 1, 2, 3, and 4, and it is discrete.
b. Step 1 Make an input-output table to find the ordered pairs.

Museum Tickets Input, x 15.95x Output, y (x, y)

y
70
0 15.95(0) 0 (0, 0)
(4, 63.8)
Cost (dollars)

60 1 15.95(1) 15.95 (1, 15.95)

50
(3, 47.85) 2 15.95(2) 31.9 (2, 31.9)
40
30 (2, 31.9)
3 15.95(3) 47.85 (3, 47.85)
20
(1, 15.95) 4 15.95(4) 63.8 (4, 63.8)
10
(0, 0)
0
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 x
Number of tickets Step 2 Plot the ordered pairs. The domain is discrete. So, the graph consists of
individual points.

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8. The linear function m = 50 − 9d represents the amount m (in dollars) of money

you have after buying d DVDs. (a) Find the domain of the function. Is the domain
discrete or continuous? Explain. (b) Graph the function using its domain.

114 Chapter 3 Graphing Linear Functions

 Graphing Continuous Data

A cereal bar contains 130 calories. The number c of calories consumed is a function
of the number b of bars eaten.
a. Does this situation represent a linear function? Explain.
b. Find the domain of the function. Is the domain discrete or continuous? Explain.
STUDY TIP c. Graph the function using its domain.
When the domain of
a linear function is not SOLUTION
specified or cannot be
obtained from a real-life a. As b increases by 1, c increases by 130. The rate of change is constant.
context, it is understood
So, this situation represents a linear function.
to be all real numbers.
b. You can eat part of a cereal bar. The number b of bars eaten can be any value
greater than or equal to 0.
So, the domain is b ≥ 0, and it is continuous.

c. Step 1 Make an input-output table to find ordered pairs.

Input, b Output, c (b, c)

0 0 (0, 0)
Cereal Bar Calories 1 130 (1, 130)
c
Calories consumed

700
2 260 (2, 260)
600 3 390 (3, 390)
(4, 520)
500
400 4 520 (4, 520)
(3, 390)
300
(2, 260)
200 Step 2 Plot the ordered pairs.
(1, 130)
100
(0, 0) Step 3 Draw a line through the points. The line should start at (0, 0) and continue
0
0 1 2 3 4 5 6b
to the right. Use an arrow to indicate that the line continues without end,
Number of as shown. The domain is continuous. So, the graph is a line with a domain
bars eaten of b ≥ 0.

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9. Is the domain discrete or continuous? Explain.

Input
1 2 3
Number of stories, x
Output
12 24 36
Height of building (feet), y

10. A 20-gallon bathtub is draining at a rate of 2.5 gallons per minute. The number g
of gallons remaining is a function of the number m of minutes.
a. Does this situation represent a linear function? Explain.
b. Find the domain of the function. Is the domain discrete or continuous?
Explain.
c. Graph the function using its domain.

Section 3.2 Linear Functions 115

 Writing Real-Life Problems
Writing Real-Life Problems

Write a real-life problem to fit the data shown in each graph. Is the domain of each
function discrete or continuous? Explain.

a. y b. y
8 8

6 6

4 4

2 2

2 4 6 8 x 2 4 6 8 x

SOLUTION
a. You want to think of a real-life situation in which there are two variables, x and y.
Using the graph, notice that the sum of the variables is always 6, and the value of
each variable must be a whole number from 0 to 6.

x 0 1 2 3 4 5 6
Discrete domain
y 6 5 4 3 2 1 0

One possibility is two people bidding against each other on six coins at an
auction. Each coin will be purchased by one of the two people. Because it is
not possible to purchase part of a coin, the domain is discrete.
b. You want to think of a real-life situation in which there are two variables, x and y.
Using the graph, notice that the sum of the variables is always 6, and the value of
each variable can be any real number from 0 to 6.
x+y=6 or y = −x + 6 Continuous domain

One possibility is two people bidding against each other on 6 ounces of gold
dust at an auction. All the dust will be purchased by the two people. Because it
is possible to purchase any portion of the dust, the domain is continuous.

Monitoring Progress Help in English and Spanish at BigIdeasMath.com

Write a real-life problem to fit the data shown in the graph. Is the domain of
the function discrete or continuous? Explain.
11. y 12. y
8 8

6 6

4 4

2 2

2 4 6 8 x 2 4 6 8 x

116 Chapter 3 Graphing Linear Functions

 3.2 Exercises Dynamic Solutions available at BigIdeasMath.com

Vocabulary and Core Concept

p Check
1. COMPLETE THE SENTENCE A linear equation in two variables is an equation that can be written
in the form ________, where m and b are constants.

2. VOCABULARY Compare linear functions and nonlinear functions.

3. VOCABULARY Compare discrete domains and continuous domains.

4. WRITING How can you tell whether a graph shows a discrete domain or a continuous domain?

Monitoring Progress and Modeling with Mathematics

In Exercises 5–10, determine whether the graph 13. x 4 8 12 16
represents a linear or nonlinear function. Explain.
(See Example 1.) y 16 12 7 1
5. y 6. y
3
14. x
2 −1 0 1 2
y 35 20 5 −10
−2 2 x −3 −1 1 3x

−2
−3 ERROR ANALYSIS In Exercises 15 and 16, describe and
correct the error in determining whether the table or
graph represents a linear function.
7. y 8. y
3

✗
2 15.
+2 +2 +2
1

−2 2 x −2 2 x x 2 4 6 8
−2
−3 y 4 16 64 256

×4 ×4 ×4
9. y 10. y
6 As x increases by 2, y increases
1 4
by a constant factor of 4. So,
x the function is linear.
−2 2
2

✗
−3 16.
2 4 6x
y

In Exercises 11–14, determine whether the table 2

represents a linear or nonlinear function. Explain.
(See Example 2.) −2 2 x

11. −2
x 1 2 3 4
y 5 10 15 20
The graph is a line. So, the graph
represents a linear function.
12. x 5 7 9 11
y −9 −3 −1 3

Section 3.2 Linear Functions 117

HSCC_Alg1_PE_03.02.indd 117 5/27/14 4:21 PM

In Exercises 17–24, determine whether the equation 31. Input
represents a linear or nonlinear function. Explain. 3 6 9
Time (hours), x
(See Example 3.)
Output
150 300 450
17. y = x 2 + 13 18. y = 7 − 3x Distance (miles), y
3—
19. y = √ 8 − x 20. y = 4x(8 − x) 32. Input
0 1 2
1 2 Relay teams, x
21. 2 + —6 y = 3x + 4 22. y − x = 2x − —3 y
Output
0 4 8
23. 18x − 2y = 26 24. 2x + 3y = 9xy Athletes, y

25. CLASSIFYING FUNCTIONS Which of the following ERROR ANALYSIS In Exercises 33 and 34, describe and
equations do not represent linear functions? Explain. correct the error in the statement about the domain.

C
12 = 2x2 + 4y2

x=8
B

D
y−x+3=x
3
x = 9 − —y
4
33.
✗ 4
y

3
5x —
E y=— F y = √x + 3 2
11
1
26. USING STRUCTURE Fill in the table so it represents a
linear function.
2 4 6 8x

x 5 10 15 20 25 2.5 is in the domain.

y −1 11

In Exercises 27 and 28, find the domain of the function

represented by the graph. Determine whether the
34.
✗ 8
y

domain is discrete or continuous. Explain. 6

27. 28. 4
y y
24 40 2

18 30
2 4 6 8x
12 20
The graph ends at x = 6,
6 10 so the domain is discrete.

4 8 12 16 x 2 4 6 8x
35. MODELING WITH MATHEMATICS The linear function
m = 55 − 8.5b represents the amount m (in dollars)
In Exercises 29–32, determine whether the domain is of money that you have after buying b books.
discrete or continuous. Explain. (See Example 4.)
29. a. Find the domain of the function. Is the domain
Input
2 4 6 discrete or continuous? Explain.
Bags, x
Output b. Graph the function using its domain.
20 40 60
Marbles, y

30.
Input
1 2 3
Years, x
Output
6 9 12
Height of tree (feet), y

118 Chapter 3 Graphing Linear Functions

36. MODELING WITH MATHEMATICS The number y WRITING In Exercises 39–42, write a real-life problem
of calories burned after x hours of rock climbing is to fit the data shown in the graph. Determine whether
represented by the linear function y = 650x. the domain of the function is discrete or continuous.
Explain. (See Example 6.)
a. Find the domain of
the function. Is the 39. 40.
domain discrete or
y y
continuous? Explain. 8
4
b. Graph the function 6
using its domain. 2
4

2 4 7x
2
37. MODELING WITH MATHEMATICS You are researching −2
the speed of sound waves in dry air at 86°F. The table 2 4 6 8x
shows the distances d (in miles) sound waves travel
in t seconds. (See Example 5.) 41. 42.
y y
Time Distance 40
(seconds), t (miles), d
10 20 x
30
2 0.434 −100
4 0.868 20
−200
6 1.302 10
8 1.736
4 8 12 16 x
10 2.170

a. Does this situation represent a linear function? 43. USING STRUCTURE The table shows your earnings
Explain. y (in dollars) for working x hours.
b. Find the domain of the function. Is the domain a. What is the missing Time Earnings
discrete or continuous? Explain. y-value that makes (hours), x (dollars), y
the table represent a
c. Graph the function using its domain. 4 40.80
linear function?
5
38. MODELING WITH MATHEMATICS The function b. What is your hourly
y = 30 + 5x represents the cost y (in dollars) of pay rate? 6 61.20
having your dog groomed and buying x extra services. 7 71.40

Pampered Pups 44. MAKING AN ARGUMENT The linear function

d = 50t represents the distance d (in miles) Car A is
from a car rental store after t hours. The table shows
Extra Grooming Services the distances Car B is from the rental store.
Paw Treatment Deshedding
Teeth Brushing Ear Treatment Time Distance
Nail Polish (hours), t (miles), d
1 60
3 180
a. Does this situation represent a linear function?
Explain. 5 310
b. Find the domain of the function. Is the domain
discrete or continuous? Explain.
a. Does the table represent a linear or nonlinear
function? Explain.
c. Graph the function using its domain.
b. Your friend claims Car B is moving at a faster rate.
Is your friend correct? Explain.

Section 3.2 Linear Functions 119

MATHEMATICAL CONNECTIONS In Exercises 45– 48, tell 51. CLASSIFYING A FUNCTION Is the function
whether the volume of the solid is a linear or nonlinear represented by the ordered pairs linear or nonlinear?
function of the missing dimension(s). Explain. Explain your reasoning.
45. 46.
(0, 2), (3, 14), (5, 22), (9, 38), (11, 46)

52. HOW DO YOU SEE IT? You and your friend go

s
9m 3 in. running. The graph shows the distances you and
4 in. your friend run.
s
b
Running Distance
47. 2 cm 48. r
y

Distance (miles)
6 You
5 Friend
15 ft 4
h 3
2
1
0
0 10 20 30 40 50 x
Minutes
49. REASONING A water company fills two different-
sized jugs. The first jug can hold x gallons of water. a. Describe your run and your friend’s run. Who
The second jug can hold y gallons of water. The runs at a constant rate? How do you know?
company fills A jugs of the first size and B jugs of the Why might a person not run at a constant rate?
second size. What does each expression
represent? Does each expression represent b. Find the domain of each function. Describe the
a set of discrete or continuous values? domains using the context of the problem.
a. x + y
b. A + B WRITING In Exercises 53 and 54, describe a real-life
c. Ax situation for the constraints.
d. Ax + By 53. The function has at least one negative number in the
domain. The domain is continuous.

54. The function gives at least one negative number as an

50. THOUGHT PROVOKING You go to a farmer’s market output. The domain is discrete.
to buy tomatoes. Graph a function that represents the
cost of buying tomatoes. Explain your reasoning.

Maintaining Mathematical Proficiency Reviewing what you learned in previous grades and lessons

Tell whether x and y show direct variation. Explain your reasoning. (Skills Review Handbook)
55. y 56. y 57. y
3 3
2
1 1

−3 1 3x −2 2 x −2 2 x

−2
−3 −3

Evaluate the expression when x = 2. (Skills Review Handbook)

x
58. 6x + 8 59. 10 − 2x + 8 60. 4(x + 2 − 5x) 61. — + 5x − 7
2

120 Chapter 3 Graphing Linear Functions