A student claims the table shows a proportional relationship and uses it to predict a value. Table: (x, y) = (2, 5), (4, 10), (6, 14). What is the first wrong step in the student’s reasoning?
Student work:
Step 1: Compute y ÷ x for the first two pairs: 5 ÷ 2 = 2.5 and 10 ÷ 4 = 2.5
Step 2: Conclude the relationship is proportional with k = 2.5
Step 3: Predict y when x = 6: y = 2.5 × 6 = 15
Step 4: Answer: y = 15
Which is the first step that is wrong, and what should it be?