For the function f(x)={−x+3,x>02x+3,x≤0, what is the average rate of change over the interval 1 ≤ x ≤ 3? average rate of change =

Answer 1

The interval 1 ≤ x ≤ 3 is in the domain x > 0, so f(x) = -x + 3 over the interval. The average rate of change for a linear function like - x + 3 is equal to its slope. What is the slope of -x + 3? Remember that the formula for a linear function is y = mx + b where m is the slope.