What you’ll learn
Compute the average rate of change over the specified interval.
Key idea
Average rate of change is total output change divided by the matching total input change over the specified interval.
Worked example
Compute the average rate of change over the specified interval.
Function table; specified interval [-1, 7]
| x | y |
|---|---|
| -1 | 1 |
| 3 | 3 |
| 7 | 3 |
- (f(7) - f(-1)) / (7 - -1)
- (3 - 1) / (7 - -1) = 1/4
Answer: 1/4
Quick Check
Analyze the proposed student response. Choose Correct or Incorrect.
On [0, 2], f(0) = -8 and f(2) = -17/2; nonconstant context: f(1) = -8 Student response: -1/4
| x | y |
|---|---|
| 0 | -8 |
| 1 | -8 |
| 2 | -17/2 |