Can a Decreasing Function Connect These Two Points? Graph Challenge

Decreasing Functions with Point Analysis

Copy the points and complete the graph of the function according to the instructions, if it is not possible explain why.

Is it possible to generate a decreasing function with the two given points?

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Step-by-step video solution

Watch the teacher solve the problem with clear explanations
00:13 Can we create a decreasing function from two points?
00:16 Let's add the points to complete our graph.
00:26 Notice how the function decreases as we move from left to right.
00:31 And that's how we solve this question!

Step-by-step written solution

Follow each step carefully to understand the complete solution
1

Understand the problem

Copy the points and complete the graph of the function according to the instructions, if it is not possible explain why.

Is it possible to generate a decreasing function with the two given points?

000

2

Step-by-step solution

To determine if a decreasing function is possible with the two given points, we need to calculate the slope between them based on the common definition of a decreasing function.

Let's follow these steps:

  • Step 1: Identify the given points.
  • Step 2: Calculate the slope using these points.
  • Step 3: Verify that the slope is negative.

Step 1: The points appear to be roughly at coordinates near (x1,y1)(x_1, y_1) and (x2,y2)(x_2, y_2) according to their positions on the graph, with exact coordinates not provided, we'll assume accurate readings from the visual information.

Step 2: Calculate the slope using the formula:

slope=y2y1x2x1 \text{slope} = \frac{y_2 - y_1}{x_2 - x_1}

Given the visual interpretation:

x1<x2 x_1 < x_2 and y1>y2 y_1 > y_2 , so this ensures the change in yy is negative when divided by a positive change in xx.

Step 3: As the slope slope=y2y1x2x1\text{slope} = \frac{y_2 - y_1}{x_2 - x_1} is negative, the function represented by these points is decreasing.

Therefore, it is POSSIBLE to generate a decreasing function with the two given points.

3

Final Answer

Possible

Key Points to Remember

Essential concepts to master this topic
  • Definition: Decreasing function has negative slope between any two points
  • Slope Formula: Calculate y2y1x2x1 \frac{y_2 - y_1}{x_2 - x_1} using given coordinates
  • Verification: If slope is negative and x₁ < x₂, function is decreasing ✓

Common Mistakes

Avoid these frequent errors
  • Confusing decreasing with increasing function definition
    Don't think decreasing means slope is positive = completely wrong direction! This leads to accepting increasing functions as decreasing. Always remember: decreasing function has negative slope where y-values go DOWN as x-values go UP.

Practice Quiz

Test your knowledge with interactive questions

Is the function in the graph decreasing? yx

FAQ

Everything you need to know about this question

How do I tell if a function is decreasing just by looking at two points?

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Look at the direction! If the right point is lower than the left point, the function decreases between them. Check: does y get smaller as x gets bigger?

What if the slope equals zero?

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A slope of zero means the function is constant (neither increasing nor decreasing). The line would be perfectly horizontal between those two points.

Can I connect any two points with a decreasing function?

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You can connect any two points with some function! The key question is whether that connection has a negative slope (decreasing) or positive slope (increasing).

Do I need to worry about the exact coordinates?

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For this type of problem, you just need to see the relative positions. Is the right point lower than the left point? Then it's possible to create a decreasing function!

What makes this problem tricky?

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Students often overthink it! You don't need complex calculations - just use the basic slope concept: negative slope = decreasing function.

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