The table below represents a function. x 1 2 3 4 5 y 1 16 64 256 1,024 which statement would best describe the graph of the function? the graph is a straight line that has a slope of 8. the graph is a horizontal line at y = 16. the graph starts flat but curves steeply upward. the graph is a parabola that opens upward.

Create a table with 3 columns as follows:

    x            y           f(x)
   
    1           1            ?
    2        16           4^2
    3        64          4^3
    4       256         4^4
    5      1024        4^5

Notice that when x ≠ 1, the data is modeled by y = 4^x for x>1.
Therefore the curve is initially flat at x=1 but increases rapidly when x>1.

The graph starts flat, but curves steeply upward.