Because of the costs involved in maintaining high temperatures and pressure, not yet a practical method for generating electrical energy.

A)  both functions are linear

B) f(x) = 7446.4x + 178713.6 and f(x) = 11000x + 179000

C) House 2 will value $106894.4 more than house 1.

Step-by-step explanation:

A) Value Increase from year 1 to year 2:

House 1: 193,606.40 - 186,160 = 7446.4

House 2: 201,000 - 190,000 = 11000

Value Increase from year 2 to year 3:

House 1: 201,350.66 - 193,606.40 = 7744.26

House 2: 212,000 - 201,000 = 11000  

This means that a constant increament in x variable gives a constant increament in both houses vales. Then, both functions are linear.

B) The slope is the same as the value increment from one year to the next one.

slope (m) of House 1: 7446.4

slope (m) of House 2: 11000

General formula of a line:

f(x) = mx+b

Replacing with a known point:

House 1

186,160 = 7446.4(1) + b

b = 186,160 - 7446.4 = 178713.6

equation: f(x) = 7446.4x + 178713.6

House 2

190,000 = 11000(1) + b

b = 190,000 - 11000 = 179000

equation: f(x) = 11000x + 179000

C) Replacing x = 30 into each equaiton:

Value of House 1 after 30 years

f(x) = 7446.4(30) + 178713.6 = 402105.6

Value of House 2 after 30 years

f(30) = 11000(30) + 179000 = 509000

Then, house 2 will value 509000 - 402105.6 = $106894.4  more than house 1.