Question

Consider the function f(x) = 4 - 2x ^ 2 on the interval \ -6,6] Find the average or mean slope of the function on this interval , i.e. (f(6) - f(- 6))/(6 - (- 6)) =

Answer 1

f(x) = 4 -2x^2

First we need to find f(6)

f(6) = 4 - 2( 6) ^2 = 4 - 2(36) = 4 - 72 = -68

Then we need to find

f(-6) = 4 - 2( -6) ^2 = 4 -2( 36) = 4 - 72 = -68

Now we find the average or mean slope

The mean slope is zero

Now f'(c) must equal 0

The derivative is -4x and evaluated at c

-4c

This must be equal to 0

-4c =0

Solving for c

c=0