es the problem below represent a linear function or an exponential function? What function can be use the situation? An online-based movie-rental site charges \( \$ 5 \) per month and \( \$ 0.50 \) per movie rented.

In this scenario, the cost can be modeled as a linear function because it has a constant rate of change. For every additional movie rented, the total cost increases by a fixed amount of \( \$0.50 \), plus the base monthly fee of \( \$5 \). The function can be expressed as \( C(m) = 5 + 0.50m \), where \( C \) is the total cost, and \( m \) is the number of movies rented. In real-world applications, linear functions are often used to represent straightforward billing like subscriptions or utility costs, where there is a flat fee and an additional charge per unit used. Understanding these functions helps consumers predict their expenses and manage their budgets effectively!