Question

The inches of rainfall in the rainforest is represented by the function f(x) = 3(x-2)+ 4. What is the average rate of change between the 2nd year and the 6th year?

Answer 1

Answer:

The average rate of change of rainfall in the rainforest between 2nd year and 6th year = 3 inches

Step-by-step explanation:

Given function representing inches of rainfall:

$f(x)=3(x-2)+4$

To find the average rate of change between the 2nd year and the 6th year.

Solution:

The average rate of change between interval $[a,b]$ is given as :

$\frac{f(b)-f(a)}{b-a}$

For the given function we need to find the average rate of change between 2nd year and 6th year. $[2,6]$

So, we have:

$f(2)=3(2-2)+4=3(0)+4=4$

$f(6)=3(6-2)+4=3(4)+4=12+4=16$

Thus, average rate of change will be:

$\frac{f(6)-f(2)}{6-2}$

⇒ $\frac{16-4}{6-2}$

⇒ $\frac{12}{4}$

⇒ $3$

Thus, the average rate of change of rainfall in the rainforest between 2nd year and 6th year = 3 inches