What type of function is calculated using the slope formula?

The correct choice is a linear function because the slope formula is used to determine the rate of change between two points on a straight line in a coordinate plane. The slope is calculated as the ratio of the change in the y-coordinates to the change in the x-coordinates, which reflects how steep the line is. A linear function can be expressed in the form of ( y = mx + b ), where ( m ) represents the slope. This linearity indicates a constant rate of change, which is central to the concept of linear functions.

In contrast, quadratic functions feature a variable raised to the second power, leading to a parabolic shape and varying slopes across the curve. Cubic functions involve variables raised to the third power, resulting in shapes with one or more bends, while trigonometric functions relate to angles and the circles they operate within, rather than having a constant slope. Thus, understanding the slope formula inherently connects to linear functions, where the relationship between variables is a consistent and direct one.