Question

Need help with exam study sheet

Answer 1

The rate of change is (-1)

To solve this, we need to look at graphic to know the values of the function f(x) when x is equal to 1 and 3.

Then we have two points of the graph: (1,6) and (3,4).

The rate of change between two points is:

`m=\frac{\text{change in f(x)}}{change\text{ in x}}`

In this case,

`m=(4-6)/(3-1)=(-2)/(2)=-1`

Note that its the same whatever coordinate put first:

`(6-4)/(1-3)=(4-6)/(3-1)=-1`

But when you do the difference between the coordinates, make sure to respect the order: if you use the y coordinate of the point P minus the y coordinate of point Q, you must to do the same for the x coodinate; Px-Qx