AP Precalculus - Average Rate of Change
The formula calculates the average rate of change of a function over a given interval.
The difference in function values (F(b) - F(a)) is divided by the difference in input values (b - a).
Function: f(x) = 3x^2
Interval: [1, 3] [a, b] a = 1, b = 3
Average Rate of Change = (F(3) - F(1)) / (3 - 1)
Substituting into the function: (27 - 3) / 2 = 24 / 2 = 12
In Example 1, the function f(x) = 3x^2 has an average rate of change of 12 over the interval [1, 3].
Function: f(x) = x^2 + 2
Interval: [2, 4] [a, b] a = 2, b = 4
Average Rate of Change = (F(4) - F(2)) / (4 - 2)
Substituting into the function: (18 - 6) / 2 = 12 / 2 = 6
In Example 2, the function f(x) = x^2 + 2 has an average rate of change of 6 over the interval [2, 4].
Overall, the Average rate of change provides insight into the trend of the function within the specified interval.
The formula calculates the average rate of change of a function over a given interval.
The difference in function values (F(b) - F(a)) is divided by the difference in input values (b - a).
Function: f(x) = 3x^2
Interval: [1, 3] [a, b] a = 1, b = 3
Average Rate of Change = (F(3) - F(1)) / (3 - 1)
Substituting into the function: (27 - 3) / 2 = 24 / 2 = 12
In Example 1, the function f(x) = 3x^2 has an average rate of change of 12 over the interval [1, 3].
Function: f(x) = x^2 + 2
Interval: [2, 4] [a, b] a = 2, b = 4
Average Rate of Change = (F(4) - F(2)) / (4 - 2)
Substituting into the function: (18 - 6) / 2 = 12 / 2 = 6
In Example 2, the function f(x) = x^2 + 2 has an average rate of change of 6 over the interval [2, 4].
Overall, the Average rate of change provides insight into the trend of the function within the specified interval.