Describe the general equation for a linear function. How is it related to the standard algebraic form $y=m x+b$ ? Choose the correct answer below. A. The general equation for a linear function is independent variable $=$ initial value + (rate of change $\times$ dependent variable). In the standard algebraic form of a linear function, $y$ is the dependent variable, $x$ is the independent variable, $m$ is the rate of change, and $b$ is the initial value. B. The general equation for a linear function is dependent variable $=$ rate of change + (initial value $\times$ independent variable). In the standard algebraic form of a linear function, $y$ is the dependent variable, $x$ is the independent variable, $m$ is the rate of change, and $b$ is the initial value. C. The general equation for a linear function is dependent variable $=$ initial value + (rate of change $\times$ independent variable). In the standard algebraic form of a linear function, $y$ is the independent variable, $x$ is the dependent variable, $m$ is the initial value, $a n d b$ is the rate of change. D. The general equation for a linear function is dependent variable = initial value + (rate of change $\times$ independent variable). In the standard algebraic form of a linear function, $y$ is the dependent variable, $x$ is the independent variable, $m$ is the rate of change, $a n d b$ is the initial value.
Solution
Step 1 ：The question is asking to describe the general equation for a linear function and how it is related to the standard algebraic form $y=mx+b$.
Step 2 ：In the standard algebraic form of a linear function, $y$ is the dependent variable, $x$ is the independent variable, $m$ is the rate of change (or slope), and $b$ is the initial value (or y-intercept).
Step 3 ：The general equation for a linear function can be described as dependent variable = initial value + (rate of change $\times$ independent variable).
Step 4 ：Therefore, the correct answer should be the one that matches this description.
Step 5 ：\boxed{\text{A. The general equation for a linear function is dependent variable = initial value + (rate of change $\times$ independent variable). In the standard algebraic form of a linear function, $y$ is the dependent variable, $x$ is the independent variable, $m$ is the rate of change, and $b$ is the initial value.}}
