Analyzing the Linearity of y = -2x: Increasing or Decreasing?

To determine if the function $y = -2x$ is increasing or decreasing, we need to consider its slope.

The function $y = -2x$ is a linear function of the form $y = mx + b$, where:

• $m = -2$ (the slope)
• $b = 0$ (the y-intercept)

The slope $m$ is the rate of change of the function. For linear functions:

• If the slope $m > 0$, the function is increasing.
• If the slope $m < 0$, the function is decreasing.

In this case, the slope $m = -2$ is negative ($m < 0$). This indicates that as $x$ increases, $y$ decreases, meaning the function is decreasing.

Therefore, the function $y = -2x$ is decreasing.