Question

Use the graph below for this question:

graph of parabola going through 2, negative 3 and 3, negative 1.

What is the average rate of change from x = 2 to x = 3?

2

3

0

5

Answer 1

The average rate of change of a function f(x) on the interval [a,b] is given by:

f(b) - f(a)

-------------

b-a

In this specific case, a=2 and b = 3.

f(2) = -3 and f(3) = -1.

Thus, the average rate of change here of f(x) on the interval [2,3] is:

-1 - (- 3) 2

------------- = ------------- = 2 (answer)

3-2 1