Question

Calculate the average rate of change for f(x) over the interval [-1, 2].

Question 2 options:

1


-1


-3


3

Answer 1

The average rate of change over the given interval is

`(f(2) - f(-1))/(2 - (-1)) = \frac{f(2) - f(-1)}3`

According to the table,
`f(2) = 5`, but
`f(-1)` is not given, so the best we can say is

`\frac{f(2) - f(-1)}3= \frac{5 - f(-1)}3`

If you meant 1 instead of -1, then
`f(1) = 6`, and the average rate of change would be

`(f(2) - f(1))/(2 - 1) = f(2) - f(1) = 5 - 6 = \boxed{-1}`