Question

Pauley graphs the change in temperature of a glass of hot tea over time. He sees that the function appears to decrease quickly at first, then decrease more slowly as time passes. Which best describes this function?
A. It is linear because the graph decreases over time.
B. It is linear because there is both an independent and a dependent variable.
C. It is nonlinear because linear functions are increasing functions.
D. It is nonlinear because linear functions increase or decrease at the same rate.

Answer 1

Answer with explanation:

Graph Drawn by Pauley

  When Pauley graph the change in temperature of a glass of hot tea over time. He sees that the function appears to decrease quickly at first, then decrease more slowly as time passes.

Suppose , Change in Temperature = X - Axis

Time =Y-Axis

Since, Rate of Decrease or Increase is not Constant throughout.That is if you will try to find out the slope at any point on the curve, it will not be same.So, it can't be a Linear function.

Also, Linear function is either Increasing  or Decreasing.

Option D:

  It is nonlinear because linear functions increase or decrease at the same rate.

Answer 2

D, a linear function has a constant rate of change, so the cup will decrease in temperature fastest at first.