# 4.1 Linear functions

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In this section you will:
• Represent a linear function.
• Determine whether a linear function is increasing, decreasing, or constant.
• Interpret slope as a rate of change.
• Write and interpret an equation for a linear function.
• Graph linear functions.
• Determine whether lines are parallel or perpendicular.
• Write the equation of a line parallel or perpendicular to a given line.

Just as with the growth of a bamboo plant, there are many situations that involve constant change over time. Consider, for example, the first commercial maglev train in the world, the Shanghai MagLev Train ( [link] ). It carries passengers comfortably for a 30-kilometer trip from the airport to the subway station in only eight minutes http://www.chinahighlights.com/shanghai/transportation/maglev-train.htm .

Suppose a maglev train travels a long distance, and maintains a constant speed of 83 meters per second for a period of time once it is 250 meters from the station. How can we analyze the train’s distance from the station as a function of time? In this section, we will investigate a kind of function that is useful for this purpose, and use it to investigate real-world situations such as the train’s distance from the station at a given point in time.

## Representing linear functions

The function describing the train’s motion is a linear function    , which is defined as a function with a constant rate of change. This is a polynomial of degree 1. There are several ways to represent a linear function, including word form, function notation, tabular form, and graphical form. We will describe the train’s motion as a function using each method.

## Representing a linear function in word form

Let’s begin by describing the linear function in words. For the train problem we just considered, the following word sentence may be used to describe the function relationship.

• The train’s distance from the station is a function of the time during which the train moves at a constant speed plus its original distance from the station when it began moving at constant speed.

The speed is the rate of change. Recall that a rate of change is a measure of how quickly the dependent variable changes with respect to the independent variable. The rate of change for this example is constant, which means that it is the same for each input value. As the time (input) increases by 1 second, the corresponding distance (output) increases by 83 meters. The train began moving at this constant speed at a distance of 250 meters from the station.

## Representing a linear function in function notation

Another approach to representing linear functions is by using function notation. One example of function notation is an equation written in the slope-intercept form    of a line, where $\text{\hspace{0.17em}}x\text{\hspace{0.17em}}$ is the input value, $\text{\hspace{0.17em}}m\text{\hspace{0.17em}}$ is the rate of change, and $\text{\hspace{0.17em}}b\text{\hspace{0.17em}}$ is the initial value of the dependent variable.

In the example of the train, we might use the notation $\text{\hspace{0.17em}}D\left(t\right)\text{\hspace{0.17em}}$ where the total distance $\text{\hspace{0.17em}}D\text{\hspace{0.17em}}$ is a function of the time $\text{\hspace{0.17em}}t.\text{\hspace{0.17em}}$ The rate, $\text{\hspace{0.17em}}m,\text{\hspace{0.17em}}$ is 83 meters per second. The initial value of the dependent variable $\text{\hspace{0.17em}}b\text{\hspace{0.17em}}$ is the original distance from the station, 250 meters. We can write a generalized equation to represent the motion of the train.

given 4cot thither +3=0and 0°<thither <180° use a sketch to determine the value of the following a)cos thither
what are you up to?
nothing up todat yet
Miranda
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jai
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jai
Miranda Drice
jai
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jai
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Miranda
I am living in india
jai
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Miranda
what is the formula for calculating algebraic
I think the formula for calculating algebraic is the statement of the equality of two expression stimulate by a set of addition, multiplication, soustraction, division, raising to a power and extraction of Root. U believe by having those in the equation you will be in measure to calculate it
Miranda
state and prove Cayley hamilton therom
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Propessor
hi
Miranda
the Cayley hamilton Theorem state if A is a square matrix and if f(x) is its characterics polynomial then f(x)=0 in another ways evey square matrix is a root of its chatacteristics polynomial.
Miranda
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jai
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Propessor
welcome
jai
What is algebra
algebra is a branch of the mathematics to calculate expressions follow.
Miranda
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Jeffrey
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Miranda
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Jeffrey
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Miranda
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Jeffrey
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Miranda
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Miranda
Jeffrey
Jeffrey
Miranda
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Miranda
gotta practice, holmie
Steve
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Steve
I don't know why. But Im trying to like it.
Jeffrey
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Jeffrey
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Miranda
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which equation
Miranda
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Jeffrey
Miranda
Jeffrey
answer and questions in exercise 11.2 sums
how do u calculate inequality of irrational number?
Alaba
give me an example
Chris
and I will walk you through it
Chris
cos (-z)= cos z .
cos(- z)=cos z
Mustafa
what is a algebra
(x+x)3=?
6x
Obed
what is the identity of 1-cos²5x equal to?
__john __05
Kishu
Hi
Abdel
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Ye
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Nokwanda
C'est comment
Abdel
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Amanda
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SORIE
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Chinni
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Hassan
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SORIE
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Abdel
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SORIE
it's 12
what is the function of sine with respect of cosine , graphically
tangent bruh
Steve
cosx.cos2x.cos4x.cos8x
sinx sin2x is linearly dependent
what is a reciprocal
The reciprocal of a number is 1 divided by a number. eg the reciprocal of 10 is 1/10 which is 0.1
Shemmy
Reciprocal is a pair of numbers that, when multiplied together, equal to 1. Example; the reciprocal of 3 is ⅓, because 3 multiplied by ⅓ is equal to 1
Jeza
each term in a sequence below is five times the previous term what is the eighth term in the sequence
I don't understand how radicals works pls