Question

Calculate the rate of change for the following data:

x y
-1 5
2 -4
7 -19
10 -28

A. 6
B. -9
C. -3
D. 4​

Answer 1

Given:

The table of values.

To find:

The rate of change.

Solution:

From the given table it is clear that the rate of change is constant and function passes through two points (-1,5) and (2,-4). So, the rate of change is

`m=(y_2-y_1)/(x_2-x_1)`

`m=(-4-5)/(2-(-1))`

`m=(-9)/(2+1)`

`m=(-9)/(3)`

`m=-3`

So, the rate of change is -3.

Therefore, the correct option is C.