Let's determine whether the given table represents a linear or nonlinear function. To do this, we need to analyze the rate of change (slope) between each pair of consecutive points.
Here is the table of points:
[tex]\[
\begin{tabular}{|c|c|}
\hline
$x$ & $y$ \\
\hline
-2 & \frac{1}{-2} \\
\hline
-1 & \frac{1}{3} \\
\hline
0 & 1 \\
\hline
1 & 3 \\
\hline
2 & 0 \\
\hline
\end{tabular}
\][/tex]
### Step-by-Step Calculation of the Rate of Change
1. Between [tex]$(-2, -\frac{1}{2})$[/tex] and [tex]$(-1, \frac{1}{3})$[/tex]:
[tex]\[
\Delta x = -1 - (-2) = 1, \quad \Delta y = \frac{1}{3} - \left(-\frac{1}{2}\right) = \frac{1}{3} + \frac{1}{2} = \frac{2}{6} + \frac{3}{6} = \frac{5}{6}
\][/tex]
[tex]\[
\text{Rate of change} = \frac{\Delta y}{\Delta x} = \frac{\frac{5}{6}}{1} = \frac{5}{6} \approx 0.833
\][/tex]
2. Between [tex]$(-1, \frac{1}{3})$[/tex] and [tex]$(0, 1)$[/tex]:
[tex]\[
\Delta x = 0 - (-1) = 1, \quad \Delta y = 1 - \frac{1}{3} = \frac{3}{3} - \frac{1}{3} = \frac{2}{3}
\][/tex]
[tex]\[
\text{Rate of change} = \frac{\Delta y}{\Delta x} = \frac{\frac{2}{3}}{1} = \frac{2}{3} \approx 0.667
\][/tex]
3. Between [tex]$(0, 1)$[/tex] and [tex]$(1, 3)$[/tex]:
[tex]\[
\Delta x = 1 - 0 = 1, \quad \Delta y = 3 - 1 = 2
\][/tex]
[tex]\[
\text{Rate of change} = \frac{\Delta y}{\Delta x} = \frac{2}{1} = 2
\][/tex]
4. Between [tex]$(1, 3)$[/tex] and [tex]$(2, 0)$[/tex]:
[tex]\[
\Delta x = 2 - 1 = 1, \quad \Delta y = 0 - 3 = -3
\][/tex]
[tex]\[
\text{Rate of change} = \frac{\Delta y}{\Delta x} = \frac{-3}{1} = -3
\][/tex]
### Analysis of Results
The calculated rates of change between each pair of points are:
1. Between [tex]$x = -2$[/tex] and [tex]$x = -1$[/tex]: Approximately 0.833
2. Between [tex]$x = -1$[/tex] and [tex]$x = 0$[/tex]: Approximately 0.667
3. Between [tex]$x = 0$[/tex] and [tex]$x = 1$[/tex]: Exactly 2
4. Between [tex]$x = 1$[/tex] and [tex]$x = 2$[/tex]: Exactly -3
Since the rate of change is not consistent (it varies between the pairs of points), the table does not represent a linear function because a linear function must have a constant rate of change (slope).
### Conclusion
Based on our analysis:
The table represents a nonlinear function because the rate of change is not constant.
