A data set contains an independent and a dependent variable. Which must be true of the data set if a linear function can be used to represent the data?

A linear function has a constant additive rate of change: for each equal increase in the independent variable, the dependent variable changes by the same amount. A constant multiplicative rate of change describes exponential relationships instead. Linear data do not have to be positive or increasing; they can include negative values or decrease.

AI-written and checked against the verified answer.