What is an essential feature of increasing graphs compared to decreasing graphs?

An essential feature of increasing graphs is that they rise as they move from left to right. This characteristic signifies that as the values on the x-axis increase, the corresponding values on the y-axis also increase. This upward trend distinguishes increasing graphs from decreasing graphs, which show the opposite behavior—declining values as you move from left to right.

The correct answer highlights the fundamental concept of how increasing functions behave, reinforcing the idea that the slope of the graph is positive. In contrast to this, properties such as intersecting the x-axis, being symmetrical, and remaining flat do not define increasing graphs in the same way. For example, a graph that intersects the x-axis could be either increasing or decreasing depending on other factors, and symmetry or flatness does not relate specifically to the concept of a graph being increasing.