• Categories

  • Pages

  • Tags

  • Archives

  • Meta

  • How do I do this middle school math function question?

    Posted by admin on February 6th, 2010 and filed under middle school math | 4 Comments »

    Look at the function table.
    X Y
    -1 -8
    0 -5
    1 -2
    2 1
    What happens to y when x increases by 2?
    A y decreases by 3
    B y decreases by 6
    C y increases by 3
    D y increases by 6

    The answer’s D…but I hav no clue why??

    compare the y values when x changes from 0 (as in the pair (0,-5)) to 2 (as in the pair (2,1) when x increases by 2 (from 0 to 2), the y value increases from (-1) to 5: A difference of 6 in the positive direction.

    4 Responses

    1. Juan N Says:

      compare the y values when x changes from 0 (as in the pair (0,-5)) to 2 (as in the pair (2,1) when x increases by 2 (from 0 to 2), the y value increases from (-1) to 5: A difference of 6 in the positive direction.
      References :

    2. michaelempeigne Says:

      y = 3x – 5

      when x is increased by 2:
      y = 3(x + 2) – 5
      y = 3x + 6 – 5
      y = 3x + 1

      (3x +1) – (3x – 5)
      = 3x + 1 – 3x + 5
      = 6

      That’s too long and tedious, here’s a short way:
      dy / dx = 3
      dy = 3 dx
      dy = 3(2)
      dy = 6

      the fact that it’s positive indicates that it’s increasing, therefore y increases by 6.
      References :

    3. Dave B. Says:

      Take a look at your table:

      When x increases from -1 to 1, y increases from -8 to -2. That’s an increase of 6.

      When x increases from 0 to 2, y increases from -5 to 1. That’s also an increase of 6.

      You don’t have to know the equation. All you have to do is look at the data. The data tells you it increases by 6.
      References :

    4. SG Says:

      since x increses by 2, then the y will increase by 6
      References :

    Leave a Comment

    Please note: Comment moderation is enabled and may delay your comment. There is no need to resubmit your comment.