How do you use the graph of a parabola to find its average rate of change?

Question

I know I can't exactly include the graph here, but if anyone happens to know how in general, it'd be appreciated.

The specific question didn't ask with points, only x = -4 and x = 2.

Answer 1

Hi! Finding the rate of change on an interval of a parabola is just like finding the slope of any other graph. Find and plot the points on the parabola where x=-4 and x=2. Then either rise and run from one point to the next on the graph, or write out the two ordered pairs and plug them into the formula for slope (y₂-y₁)/(x₂-x₁). I hope this helps! :)