The linear function is .

(a)

The function is .

Compare the function with slope - intercept form of line equation is ,

where, is the slope and is the - intercept.

Slope .

- intercept .

(b)

Graph the linear function using rise and run :

- intercept is , so the line crosses the - axis at .

Using slope find the next point.

Slope = .

Start at point , move units down and unit right, then plot the point .

 Draw a line through these points.

Average rate of change of a linear function is .

Consider and .

The average rate of change .

The linear function is .

Slope is , which is negative.

So the function is decreasing on the interval .

(a) Slope and - intercept .

(b) Graph of the function using slope and - intercept :

(c) The average rate of change is .

(d) The function is decreasing.