How do you find the average rate of change of y = x^2 + 7xy=x2+7x over [1,8]?

1 Answer
Jan 2, 2016

1616

Explanation:

The average rate of change is the slope on that interval.

The slope, or rise over run, measures the change in yy-values over the change in xx-values.

The yy-values are f(1)f(1) and f(8)f(8) and the xx-values are 11 and 88.

Thus, the average rate of change is equal to

(f(1)-f(8))/(1-8)f(1)f(8)18

Find f(1)f(1) and f(8)f(8).

f(1)=1^2+7(1)=8f(1)=12+7(1)=8

f(8)=8^2+7(8)=120f(8)=82+7(8)=120

Thus, the average rate of change is equal to

(8-120)/(1-8)=(-112)/(-7)=16812018=1127=16