When comparing average rate of change, what is larger: -4 or 2?

Question

Question asked to put functions in order based on their rate of change over a given interval.  I am trying to figure out if we take into account the negative sign or not.

Answer 1

Rate of change can be either positive (acceleration) or negative (deceleration).  Therefore, it is the magnitude (absolute value) that determines the "amount" of rate of change.  Bottom line: -4 is a greater rate of change than +2 (assuming the units are the same in both instances).