Question

What is a reasonable estimate of the rate of change for the interval 300 <= x <= 400?

Answer 1

The correct option is;

B. -2

Explanation:

From the graph, we have;

At x₁ = 300, y₁ = 800

At x₂ = 400, y₂ = 600

The formula for the slope, m, of a graph is given as follows;

`m = (y_2 - y_1)/(x_2 - x_1) = (600 - 800)/(400 - 300)= (-200)/(100) = -2`

Therefore, a reasonable estimate of the rate of change for the interval 300 ≤ x ≤ 400 is -2 which is a negative slope as expected as the y-coordinate values, which is the value of the function, decreases while the x-coordinate values which is the independent variable increases as we go from 300 ≤ x ≤ 400.