How to Find the Average Rate of Change in a Function

Finding the average rate of change in a function is essential for understanding its behavior over an interval. Here’s a guide to help you:

1. Identify two points on the function, ((x_1, y_1)) and ((x_2, y_2)).
2. Use the formula: (frac{y_2 – y_1}{x_2 – x_1}).
3. Plug in your points to get the average rate.

Example

If you have points (1, 3) and (4, 11), calculate the average rate of change using: (frac{11 – 3}{4 – 1} = frac{8}{3}).

Further Reading

Learn more about functions at Khan Academy and mathematical principles at Maths Is Fun.