In the equation y = x³, what type of function is represented?

The equation ( y = x^3 ) represents a cubic function because it is defined by a term where the variable ( x ) is raised to the power of three. In general, a cubic function is characterized by its highest degree term being ( x^3 ), which indicates the degree of polynomial.

Cubic functions can have interesting properties, including having up to three real roots and an inflection point where the function changes concavity. The graph of a cubic function typically resembles an S-shape curve, which extends upwards in both the left and right directions as ( x ) increases or decreases, unlike linear functions that form straight lines or quadratic functions that create parabolas.

The other types of functions mentioned have different characteristics. Linear functions involve a degree of one and graph as straight lines. Quadratic functions involve a degree of two and form a U-shaped graph. Exponential functions grow rapidly and are defined in the form ( y = a \cdot b^x ). Each of these functions behaves differently compared to the cubic function expressed in this equation.