Find the equation of the linear function represented by the table below in slope-intercept form. x: 1 2 3 5 y: -1 2 5 8

To find the equation of the linear function represented by the table, we can use the slope-intercept form, which is given by y = mx + b where m is the slope of the line and b is the y-intercept.

To find the slope, we can use the formula:
m = (change in y) / (change in x)
Using the coordinates (1, -1) and (2, 2), the change in y is 2 - (-1) = 3 and the change in x is 2 - 1 = 1.

Therefore, the slope is m = (3)/(1) = 3.

To find the y-intercept, we can use any point on the line and plug it into the slope-intercept form. Let's use the point (1, -1):
-1 = 3(1) + b.

Simplifying this equation, we have:
-1 = 3 + b.

Subtracting 3 from both sides, we find:
b = -4.

Therefore, the equation of the linear function in slope-intercept form is:
y = 3x - 4.