Have vehicles gotten more fuel-efficient over the years? Between 1960 and 1999 the size and shape of automobiles in the United States has changed almost annually. The amount of fuel consumed by these vehicles has also changed. The following table describes the average fuel consumption per year per passenger car in gallons of gasoline.
Year, t
1960
1970
1980
1990
1995
1997
1998
1999
Gallons Consumed Per Passenger Car
668
760
576
520
530
538
544
552
Determine the average rate of change, in gallons of fuel used per passenger car, from 1960 to 1970.
a.
StartFraction delta g Over delta t EndFraction = 9.2 gal/year
b.
StartFraction delta g Over delta t EndFraction = negative 9.2 gal/year
c.
StartFraction delta t Over delta g EndFraction = 0.109 gal/year
d.
StartFraction delta t Over delta g EndFraction = negative 0.109 gal/year