State whether the given equation represents a linear, quadratic, or exponential function. Tell how you decided.

y = -8x2 + 4

If the 2 is an exponent, it is indicated online as

y = -8x^2 + 4 where x^2 = x squared

Does that give you a hint?

I think I understand better. Thanks for your help. I think it is a quadratic function. Is this correct?

To determine whether the given equation represents a linear, quadratic, or exponential function, we need to analyze the degree of the variable in the equation.

In the given equation, we have y = -8x^2 + 4. Notice that the variable x is raised to the power of 2 (x^2). This indicates that the equation has a degree of 2.

By definition, a linear function has a degree of 1, an exponential function has a constant as the exponent or a variable raised to a constant exponent, and a quadratic function has a degree of 2.

Since the given equation has a degree of 2, it represents a quadratic function.

Therefore, we have determined that the given equation y = -8x^2 + 4 represents a quadratic function.