Grade 9 Math (MTH1W) · Algebra

Rate of change from a table; linear or not

Use first differences in a table of values to find the rate of change, or to recognize a non-linear relation. Unlimited questions, five difficulty levels, and a full worked solution every time — free.

Practice this skill Curriculum: MTH1W-C4.4

Try one

Here is a table of values: (0, 10), (1, 12), (2, 19), (3, 16). If the relation is linear, what is the rate of change? If it is not linear, type 'not linear'.

Answer: not linear

See one solved, step by step

Here is a table of values: (0, -9), (1, -11), (2, -17), (3, -15). If the relation is linear, what is the rate of change? If it is not linear, type 'not linear'.

📘 Worked solution
1First differences: −2, −6, 2Subtract each y-value from the next one to see how much y changes each time x goes up by 1.
2The first differences are not all the same.A non-constant rate of change means the relation is NOT linear.
3Answer: not linearSince the differences vary, this table does not represent a linear relation.

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