Question

If the function f(x) = -1/2x - 7 were graphed, which of the following would be true?

Answer 1

ANSWER

D. As the x-values increase, the y-values would decrease

EXPLANATION

The given function is
$y = - \frac{1}{2} x - 7$


The slope of this function is
$m = - \frac{1}{2}$

Since the slope is negative, there is a negative or an inverse relationship between x and y.

As the values of x increases, the values of y decreases.

Also, as the values of x decreases, the values of y increases.

The first option is not true because as x is becoming bigger and bigger negatively, y will become positive.

For instance, when
$x = - 40$
$y = - \frac{1}{2} ( - 40) - 7$


This implies that,

$y = 20 - 7 = 13$

Options B is obviously not true because the function has a negative relationship between x and y.


Option C is also false because, x can be positive since it is the independent variable.

See graph



Therefore, the correct answer is option D.