Answer
(a) slope $m=\frac{1}{4}$, y-intercept $b=-3$.
(b) See graph.
(c) $\frac{1}{4}$.
(d) increasing.
Work Step by Step
(a) Given $y=\frac{1}{4}x-3$, we can determine the slope $m=\frac{1}{4}$, y-intercept $b=-3$.
(b) Start from $(0,-3)$, move 4 units to the right, then 1 unit up to reach $(4,-2)$, connect the points. See graph.
(c) The average rate of change is the same as the slope, thus $R=m=\frac{1}{4}$.
(d) The linear function is increasing.
