Chapter 7.6, Problem 5LC

To determine

To describe: the difference between a linear function and an exponential function.

Explanation of Solution

Consider the following table for difference between linear function and exponential function.

Linear function	Exponential function
Linear function defined as $y=ax+b$, where $a,b$are any real numbers.	Exponent function defined as $y=a{b}^x$, where $a\ne 0$and $b>0$and $b\ne 1$
The impendent variable $x$appears as first degree term.	The independent variable $x$appears as an exponent.
Linear function represents a straight line.	Exponential function represents an increasing curve or a decreasing curve $t$
The rate of change is constant. There is a constant difference between the function values.	There is a constant ratio between the function values.