AP Precalculus - Average Rate of Change

Formula: f(b) - f(a) / (b - a)

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Key Points:

• 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).

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==Example 1:==

• 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

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In Example 1, ==the function f(x) = 3x^2== has an ==average rate of change of 12 over== the ==interval [1, 3].==

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^^Example 2:^^

• 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

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In Example 2, ^^the function f(x) = x^2 + 2^^ has an ^^average rate of change of 6 over^^ the ^^interval [2, 4].^^

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Conclusion:

• Overall, the Average rate of change provides insight into the trend of the function within the specified interval.

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