Final answer:
The instantaneous rate of change of the object at t = 2 is 16 m/s.
Step-by-step explanation:
The distance an object moves from its starting point is given by the equation s(t) = 3t² + 4t, where s is given in meters and t is given in seconds. To find the instantaneous rate of change at t = 2, we need to find the derivative of the position function, which gives us the velocity function.
Derivative of s(t) = 3t² + 4t with respect to t:
v(t) = 6t + 4
Substituting t = 2 into the velocity function:
v(2) = 6(2) + 4 = 12 + 4 = 16 m/s
Therefore, the instantaneous rate of change of the object at t = 2 is 16 m/s.