Which linear equation represents the recursive routine below?

Question

Start Value: -4

Rate of Change: +7

A. y =  -4 + 7x

B. y = 7 - 4x

C. y = 4 -7x

D. y = 7 + 4x

Answer 1

The starting value is represented by the y intercept, which is the value y has when x=0. In the standard linear equation y=ax+b, the y intercept is b, so b=-4. The rate of change is the slope: at what rate does y change as x changes? So since a is the slope or rate of change the equation becomes y=7x-4, which is a rearrangement of y=-4+7x (Answer A).