A climber is on a hike. After 2 hours she is at an altitude of 400ft. After 6 hours she is at an altitude of 700ft. What is her average rate of change?
(I feel like this is a lot easier than I think but idk)

Question

A climber is on a hike. After 2 hours she is at an altitude of 400ft. After 6 hours she is at an altitude of 700ft. What is her average rate of change? 
(I feel like this is a lot easier than I think but idk)

texaschic101 · Answer

would it make it any easier if you knew the average rate of change is also the slope

mathmale · Answer

The "average rate of change" formula needed here is the same as that used for finding the slope of a straight line.

You are given two points on the graph of a straight line:  (2,400) and (6,700).

anonymous · Answer

Yes! thanks, but I'm blanking on how to set up the equation... from there I could solve

texaschic101 · Answer

slope = (y2 - y1) / (x2 - x1)

mathmale · Answer

Find the slope of the line connecting these two points.  That will also be your "average rate of change."

Think back:  What is the formula for the slope of a straight line when 2 points are given?

mathmale · Answer

I'd use slightly fancier graphics, but the concept presented by texaschic is correct.

anonymous · Answer

Would it be 4/2? (2)

mathmale · Answer

$$m=\frac{ y _{2}-y _{1} }{ x _{2}-x _{1} }$$

anonymous · Answer

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