The coefficients a and b for the linear function are given by:
a = -2, b = 5.
<h3>What is a linear function?</h3>
A linear function is modeled by:
y = ax + b
In which:
- a is the slope, which is the rate of change, that is, by how much y changes when x changes by 1.
- b is the y-intercept, which is the value of y when x = 0, and can also be interpreted as the initial value of the function.
Given two points, the slope is given by <u>change in y divided by change in x</u>, hence, for points AB:
a = (-1 - 7)/(3 - (-1)) = -8/4 = -2.
Hence:
y = -2x + b.
When x = -1, y = 7, hence the value of b is found as follows:
7 = -2(-1) + b
b = 5.
More can be learned about linear functions at brainly.com/question/24808124
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