1. **State the problem:** We are given the linear function $y=0.4x + 3.25$ and want to understand its properties. 2. **Formula and explanation:** This is a linear equation in slope-intercept form $y=mx+b$, where $m$ is the slope and $b$ is the y-intercept. 3. **Identify slope and intercept:** Here, the slope $m=0.4$ means for every increase of 1 in $x$, $y$ increases by 0.4. The y-intercept $b=3.25$ means the graph crosses the y-axis at $y=3.25$. 4. **Find x-intercept:** Set $y=0$ and solve for $x$: $$0=0.4x + 3.25$$ $$0.4x = -3.25$$ $$x=\frac{-3.25}{0.4}$$ $$x=\frac{-3.25}{\cancel{0.4}}= -8.125$$ 5. **Summary:** The line crosses the y-axis at $(0,3.25)$ and the x-axis at $(-8.125,0)$ with slope 0.4. This fully describes the linear function.