Linear Equations | Math in Science | Quiz

1. In the linear equation y = -3x – 6, the slope is

-3

-6

2. A recovering population of endangered frogs that scientists began monitoring in 1984 can be described by the equation p = 24t + 850, where: p is the total population, and t is the time in years since 1984. How many frogs were there in 1984 when monitoring began?

There is not enough information to answer this question.

850

874

3. Look again at the equation from Item #2 describing the recovery of population of endangered frogs: p = 24t + 850, where p is the total population and t is the time in years since 1984. Which of the following ordered pairs does not represent a data point you would expect to see among the researchers’ data?

(10, 1090)

(4, 946)

(-37, -38)

(0.5, 862)

4. The equation y = 2x² – 8 describes a linear relationship.

true

false

5. When a linear equation is graphed on the Cartesian coordinate system (x- and y-axes), it may be a straight line or a curve.

true

false

6. Which of the following scientific applications would NOT likely make use of a linear equation?

Converting a series of temperature measurements from Celsius to Fahrenheit.

Calculating the average rate at which a tectonic plate is moving.

Predicting how far a tectonic plate will move in the next 25 years.

Describing the rate of lava flow from a volcano that has been dormant since its last explosive eruption 50 years ago.

7. During the process of collecting and analyzing data, a scientist may discover a linear relationship between two variables and write a linear equation to describe it.

true

false

8. Which of the following equations would produce the graph pictured below?

y = 2x + 7

y = 4x + 7

y = -2x + 6

y = -2x + 7