How do you find the average rate of change of f(t) = 1.1t^2 - 2.5t + 1.5 over the interval [3,5]?

1 Answer
Jun 21, 2017

6.3

Explanation:

The average rate of change of a function over an interval [a, b] is the same as the slope of the line going through the points (a, f(a)) and (b, f(b)). As an expression, this is \frac{f(b)-f(a)}{b-a}.

In this case, the line goes through (3, 3.9) and (5, 16.5). Thus, the average rate of change of f(x) over the interval [3, 5] is equal to \frac{16.5-3.9}{5-3}=6.3