Chapter 1: Problem 39
If \(f(x)\) is a linear function, \(f(1)=0,\) and \(f(2)=1,\) what is \(f(3) ?\)
Short Answer
Expert verified
f(3) = 2
Step by step solution
01
Identify the linear function
A linear function can be written in the form: f(x) = mx + b, where m is the slope and b is the y-intercept.
02
Set up the equations using given points
Given the points (1, 0) and (2, 1), substitute them into the linear function form: f(1) = m(1) + b = 0 f(2) = m(2) + b = 1
03
Solve for the slope (m)
Subtract the first equation from the second equation to eliminate b and solve for m: (m * 2 + b) - (m * 1 + b) = 1 - 0 m = 1
04
Solve for the y-intercept (b)
Substitute m back into one of the original equations to solve for b: m * 1 + b = 0 1 * 1 + b = 0 b = -1
05
Write the equation of the linear function
Now that m and b are found, write the linear function: f(x) = x - 1
06
Find f(3)
Substitute x = 3 into the linear function: f(3) = 3 - 1 f(3) = 2
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
slope
In a linear function, the 'slope' (m) tells us how steep the line is. It describes how much the y-value (vertical change) changes for every one unit increase in the x-value (horizontal change). When given two points, \(x_1, y_1\) and \(x_2, y_2\), we can determine the slope using the formula: \( m = \frac{{y_2 - y_1}}{{x_2 - x_1}} \). By understanding the slope, you can predict how the line behaves and visualize its direction.
y-intercept
The 'y-intercept' (b) of a linear function is the point where the line crosses the y-axis. This occurs when the x-value is zero. So, the linear function equation \( f(x) = mx + b \) simplifies to \( y = b \) when \( x = 0 \). To find the y-intercept, substitute the slope and one point into the linear equation and solve for b. The y-intercept tells you the starting point of the line on the y-axis.
equation of a line
The equation of a linear function is typically written in the form \( y = mx + b \), where m is the slope and b is the y-intercept. This equation represents a straight line on a graph. For example, given points (1, 0) and (2, 1), the process involves:
- Finding the slope \( m \)
- Finding the y-intercept \( b \)
- Writing the final equation
solving equations
Solving equations is a fundamental skill in algebra. It involves finding the value of variables that make the equation true. For linear functions, you often solve for the slope (m) and y-intercept (b) first:
- Set up the equations using given points
- Solve for the slope by eliminating the y-intercept
- Substitute the slope back to find the y-intercept