Find the rate of change, (y2-y1)/(x2-x1), from the data given...
(2.16-1.26)/(12-7)=0.18
(1.26-0.72)/(7-4)=0.18
Since the rate is constant, this is a linear equation of the form y=mx+b. Furthermore, since 0 pencils cost 0, b=0, so the cost of the pencils is simply the number of pencils times 18 cents...
c(p)=0.18p (cost with respect to pencils is 0.18 times the number of pencils)
