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Given the function f(x) = 5^x, Section A is from x = 0 to x = 1 and Section B is from x = 2 to x = 3. Part A: Find the average rate of change of each section. (4 points) Part B: How many times greater is the average rate of change of Section B than Section A? Explain why one rate of change is greater than the other. (6 points)

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Part A)

f(x) = 5^x
f(0) = 5^0
f(0) = 1
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f(x) = 5^x
f(1) = 5^1
f(1) = 5
----------
f(x) = 5^x
f(2) = 5^2
f(2) = 5*5
f(2) = 25
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f(x) = 5^x
f(3) = 5^3
f(3) = 5*5*5
f(3) = 125

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Rate of change for section A = (f(1) - f(0))/(1 - 0)
Rate of change for section A = (5 - 1)/(1 - 0)
Rate of change for section A = 4/1
Rate of change for section A = 4

Rate of change for section B = (f(3) - f(2))/(3 - 2)
Rate of change for section B = (125 - 25)/(3 - 2)
Rate of change for section B = 100/1
Rate of change for section B = 100

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Part B)

From part A) above, we found,

Rate of change for section A = 4
Rate of change for section B = 100

Which means that section B's rate of change is 25 times greater (since 100/4 = 25, or 25*4 = 100)

Answer for part B: 25

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Extra: Explain why one rate of change is greater than the other.

The rate of change for section B is larger because the exponential function is growing faster as x increases. This is shown visually by the sharper and steeper incline as the function curve goes upward. The function starts off with relatively slower growth but it accelerates in speed.

User Loic Duros
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