Question 4 which of the following Data sets is best described by a linear function

Answer: c
Step-by-step explanation:
In order for the data set to represent a linear function, the slope (m) must be equal for all the given points. [tex]m=\dfrac{y_2-y_1}{x_2-x_1}[/tex]
a) (2, 4), (3, 9), (4, 16), (5, 25)
the x-values increase by 1, the y-values increase by 5, 7, and 9
the y/x is not constant for all of the coordinates in the data set so it is NOT a linear function.
b) (-2, -1), (-3, 0), (-4, 1), (-5, 0)
the x-values decrease by 1, the y-values increase by 1 except the last one decreases by 1.
the y/x is not constant for all of the coordinates in the data set so it is NOT a linear function.
c) (2, 12), (3, 6), (4, 0), (5, -6)
the x-values increase by 1, the y-values decrease by 6
the y/x is constant for all of the coordinates in the data set so it IS a linear function
d) (2, 1), (3, 0), (4, 1), (5, 4)
the x-values increase by 1, the y-values decrease by 1 then increase by 1 then increase by 3.
the y/x is not constant for all of the coordinates in the data set so it is NOT a linear function.