Question

A linear function is given in the table. Which equation correctly represents the relationship?

Answer 1

The slope of the function from points (-4, -17) and (-2, -14.5) is

$m=\frac{-14.5--17}{-2--4}=\frac{5}{4}$

and using the point (-4, -17) we find the y-intercept

$-17=\frac{5}{4}(-4)+b$$b=-12$

Hence, the equation of the line is

$y=\frac{5}{4}x-12$

This looks like none of the choices given. But in the point-slope form, we have choice B which tells us that the line passes through -(4, -17) which it indeed does; therefore, the correct choice is the choice B.