(d) \( y=x-18 \)

Let’s take a little stroll down memory lane! The equation \( y = x - 18 \) represents a linear function. In terms of a graph, this line has a slope of 1 (rising one unit up for every unit it moves to the right) and crosses the y-axis at -18. It’s a straightforward line, but it opens the door to endless possibilities in real-life applications, such as budgeting or tracking profits where money increases or decreases consistently over time! Now, when dealing with linear equations, it’s crucial to keep an eye on the common pitfalls. One of the most frequent errors is forgetting to convert other equation forms to slope-intercept form when plotting. Always double-check your arithmetic as you manipulate the equation, especially if you’re solving for specific values of \( x \) or \( y \) — a small miscalculation can lead to a big misunderstanding!