The graph of a function is given Determine the average rate

The graph of a function is given. Determine the average rate of change of the function between the indicated points on the graph. (Assume that the points lie on the grid lines.

Solution

Answer :

The average rate of change of a function y = f(x) between the ordinates x = a and x = b is

The average rate of change = ( change in y ) / ( change in x ) = ( f(b) - f(a) ) / ( b - a )

From the graph , we can see that a = 0 , b = 5 , f(0) = 5 and f(5) = 3

Thus the average rate of change = ( f(5) - f(0) ) / ( 5 - 0 ) = ( 3 - 5 ) /5 = -2/5