Question

Use the graph below for this question:

what is the average rate of change from x = 0 to x = 2?

a) 3
b) -1
c) 2
d) -2

Answer 1

The average rate of change is the same as the slope. Even though this graph is a parabola, we still use the slope formula with the corresponding points. Had the question asked for the instantaneous rate of change, we would have needed to find a derivative.

Slope formula: (y2 - y1) / (x2 - x1)

Point 1: (0,4)

Point 2: (2,8)

(8 - 4) / (2 - 0)

4 / 2

2

The average rate of change from x = 0 to x = 2 is 2.

Hope this helps!