Question

Find the average rate of change for the function f(x) =x^2 -6x+2 on the closed side interval (-5,2)

Answer 1

- 9

Explanation:

The average rate of change of f(x) in the closed interval [ a, b ] is

`(f(b)-f(a))/(b-a)`

Here [a, b ] = [ - 5, 2 ], thus

f(b) = f(2) = 2² - 6(2) + 2 = 4 - 12 + 2 = - 6

f(a) = f(- 5) = (- 5)² - 6(- 5) + 2 = 25 + 30 + 2 = 57 , thus

average rate of change =
`(-6-57)/(2-(-5))` =
`(-63)/(7)` = - 9