How do i find the constant rate of change...

Question

Just need help .-.

Answer 1

Hi Gianna,

 

Rate of change is most commonly defined as "the change in y over the change in x", or "how much does y change when x is changed by 1 unit".

 

If you have, for instance, two points of a function or on a line, let's say ... (-2, 15) and (3,-4), we can find both

• "the change in y" (how much has y changed from the first point to the second? From 15 to -4 is -19 units, so that's our change in y

and

• "the change in x" (how much has x changed from the first point to the second? From -2 to 3 is 5 units, so that's our change in x).

 

Then, we just divide: (change in y)/(change in x) = (-19)/(5) = -3.8. By the second definition, we now also know that when x increases 1 unit, y will decrease by 3.8 units.

 

Does all of that make sense? Do you have any more questions? Please feel free to ask!

 

Brianna