Questions: Given the function defined in the table below, find the average rate of change, in simplest form, of the function over the interval (2 leq x leq 3).
(x) (f(x))
2 28
3 19
4 12
5 7
Transcript text: Given the function defined in the table below, find the average rate of change, in simplest form, of the function over the interval $2 \leq x \leq 3$.
\begin{tabular}{|c|c|}
\hline$x$ & $f(x)$ \\
\hline 2 & 28 \\
\hline 3 & 19 \\
\hline 4 & 12 \\
\hline 5 & 7 \\
\hline
\end{tabular}
Solution
Solution Steps
Step 1: Identify the values of f(a) and f(b)
Located the values of the function at the endpoints of the interval: f(a) = 28, f(b) = 19.
Step 2: Calculate the difference in function values
The difference in function values is calculated as: f(b) - f(a) = 19 - 28 = -9.
Step 3: Calculate the difference in x values
The difference in x values is calculated as: b - a = 3 - 2 = 1.
Step 4: Compute the average rate of change
The average rate of change is calculated using the formula: \(\frac{f(b) - f(a)}{b - a}\) = \(\frac{-9}{1}\) = -9.
Final Answer:
The average rate of change of the function over the interval [2, 3] is -9.