Question

On a coordinate plane, a parabola opens up. Solid circles appear on the parabola at (negative 4, 14), (negative 3, 9.5), (negative 2, 6), (0, 2), (1, 1.5), (2, 2), (4, 6), (5, 9.5), (6, 14).

Which is the rate of change for the interval between 2 and 6 on the x-axis?

Answer 1

Explanation:

The rate of change for the interval between x = 2 and x = 6 is simply asking you for the slope of the line that connects these 2 coordinates. If you were in calculus, you could find the instantaneous slope at any point on this parabola, but you're not quite that lucky yet, so we will go about it the only way we can:

by finding the slope. Remember, that slope is the same thing as rate of change.

`m=(y_2-y_1)/(x_2-x_1)` and filling in:

`m=(14-2)/(6-2)=(12)/(4)=3`