Average Rates of Change

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Average Rates of Change
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Learning Objectives

• Calculate the average rate of change of a
  function over an interval.
• Calculate the difference quotient.
• Determine the slope of a secant line.

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Scottsdale Community College
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Calculating a Rate of Change

• The average rate of change of a function f over
  an interval a, b is given by

This expression is referred to as the difference
quotient.
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Scottsdale Community College
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Movie Ticket Prices
Determine the average annual rate of change in
the ticket price. Forecast the ticket price for
2004.
Matinee cost for my family 5.40 per
person Standard cost for my family 6.10 per
person
Source U.S. Census Bureau
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Interpreting a Rate of Change Graphically

• A line connecting two points on the graph of a
  function f is called a secant line.

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Summary

• Calculate the average rate of change of a
  function over an interval.
• Calculate the difference quotient.
• Determine the slope of a secant line.