Interpreting Linear Models

Question 1

Given a f(x)=a(x^2)+bx+c what does the constant c mean?

Answer 1

It is the value when the independant variable is 0 (or the initial x-value)

Question 2

Given a f(x)=mx+b what does the slope m mean?

Answer 2

1. Understand which value is the dependant (y) and the independent (x)
2. find the slope- how the dependant value changes for each change in the independent value

Question 3

Given a f(x)=mx+b, how does the independent value change for each change in the dependent value?

Answer 3

1. Solve for x
   x=(y-b)/m
2. Find the slope (y/m) which is the answer because it shows how much x changes for one change in y

Question 4

Given a f(x)=mx+b what is the change in f(x) for every k change in x?

Answer 4

Since m=change in f(x) for every change of 1 unit in x, f(x) for every k changes is m(k)