MATH Problem, I

Question

r(t) = 6 - 1/6t

t = 6, t = 12

(a) Determine the net change between the given values of the variable.

(b) Determine the average rate of change between the given values of the variable.

Answer 1

For the net change, you can just plug in the values for t and find the difference between the two y values:

When t = 6, r(t) = 5

When t = 12, r(t) = 4

So, the net change is 1 (5-4)

For the average rate of change, you just take the net change (1) and divide it by the difference of the t values

In other words, graphically speaking, average rate is the change in y which is the net change, divided by the change in x (t in this case):

1/(12-6) = 1/6