Algebra 1 Help Please?

Question

anonymous · Answer

The graph provided plots a function f(x):


If x represents time, the average rate of change of the function f(x) in the first three seconds is ___.

anonymous · Answer

attachment

imer · Answer

Tell me, what you think the "the average rate of change of the function f(x)" means?

anonymous · Answer

That means it only has one input right?

anonymous · Answer

its like the slope?

imer · Answer

The rate of change of a function is "how output is varying relative to input" which is?

imer · Answer

Correct, its the slope because slope of a line is $$m=\frac{ y-y _{0} }{ x-x_{0} }$$

anonymous · Answer

Okay, so it's just another way to say slope

anonymous · Answer

So, it's asking for the slope for the first 3 seconds???

imer · Answer

Correct, and now you have everything, can you please find the slope for me?

imer · Answer

Yes, from x=0 to 3.

anonymous · Answer

2?

imer · Answer

Can you please type in, how you calculated the value?

anonymous · Answer

Wait, I change my answer. This is how I was taught:

anonymous · Answer

Pick 2 points: 
(3,0) and (1,100)
                                              m=-50
The slope-intercept form is      y =  -50x + 150

imer · Answer

Correct, the average rate of change is "-50" and you can see as "x" which is time is increasing, the output (y) is decreasing, therefore the rate of change is negative.

anonymous · Answer

So would it be -50 ?

imer · Answer

The answer itself is the "slope" of the line and not the equation of the line.

imer · Answer

Yes, "-50" is the right answer.

anonymous · Answer

Awesome! There are a few more that I was having trouble with. I did the ones that I understood already. Do you mind looking over the ones that I did?

imer · Answer

Sure, please post them.

anonymous · Answer

Okay. Thanks (: