U5A1 average rate of change PEZa

Lesson Goals:

In this lesson we will learn the following:

1. The concept of the average rate of change - Interpretation of Average rate of change as the slope of
the secant
3. Evaluate the Average Rate of change in various functions.

1. The concept of the average rate of change – A.R.O.C - interpretation as slope of a secant

The line that connects ANY TWO DISTINCT POINTS on the graph of a function is called a ……………………………………………
line

SLOPE OF THE SECANT – measures the ………………………………………………………… of the secant line

It helps determine ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..

To find the Average Rate of Change (A.R.C.) between two points on the graph P[ x, f ( x)] and Q[a, f (a)]
use the formula
f ( x) − f (a)
A.R.C. = msec ant =
x−a
INVESTIGATION: The concept of the average rate of change - AROC

Click on the Desmos Link: Average Rate Of Change

Given the function 𝑓(𝑥) = 0.25𝑥 2, let 𝑃(0, 0) represented by (a, f(a), be a fixed point
and 𝑄[𝑏, 𝑓(𝑏)] be a “travelling” point.
𝑦𝑃 −𝑦𝑄
Slightly move the point Q, and in the meantime observe the changes in the values of the slope 𝑚 = 𝑥𝑃 −𝑥𝑄
Complete the table of values below.

Point P Point Q Slope of Secant The sign of the slope The y-values
(fixed) (movable) (=) or (-) (increasing or decreasing)

𝑃(0,0) 𝑄1 = (1, 0.25)

𝑃(0,0) 𝑄2 = (2, 1))

𝑃(0,0) 𝑄3 = (4, 4 )

𝑄4 = (0,0)
𝑃(0,0)

𝑃(0,0) 𝑄5 = (−1,0.25)

𝑃(0,0) 𝑄6 = (−2,1)

𝑃(0,0) 𝑄3 = (−4, 4)

a) The slope of the secant is ………………………… for different secant lines

b) This is because the y-values of a function will change at …………………….. rates (speed).

c) When the slope of the secant is positive, the function is ………………………………………..

d) When the slope of the secant is negative, the function is ………………………………………..

e) When the slope of the secant is ZERO, the function is ………………………………………..

2. EVALUATING THE AVERAGE RATE OF CHANGE USING THE SLOPE OF THE SECANT
To find the Average Rate of Change (A.R.C.) between two points on the graph P[ x, f ( x)] and Q[a, f (a)]
use the formula
𝒇(𝒙) − 𝒇(𝒂)
𝑨. 𝑹. 𝑶. 𝑪. = 𝒎𝒔𝒆𝒄 𝒂𝒏𝒕 =
𝒙−𝒂

Example #1: Find the slope of the secant passing through the indicated points:

a. 𝑓(𝑥) = (𝑥 + 3)2 P where 𝑥 = −1, and Q where 𝑥 = 2

b. 𝑔(𝑥) = −5(2)𝑥 P where 𝑥 = 1, and Q where 𝑥 = 3

𝑥
c. ℎ(𝑥) = 𝑥−2 P where 𝑥 = 0, and Q where 𝑥 = 6
Suggested Homework practice + Textbook Homework:
Page 76-78: #2, #4, #8, #9, #10
1) Determine the average rate of change between the two given points.

a) b)

Answer: ______________ Answer: ______________

2) Determine the average rate of change for each of the following on the interval −1  x  2
a. f ( x) = ( x − 2) 2

Answer: ______________

b. g ( x) = 3 ( 2 )
x

Answer: ______________

x
c. h( x) =
x+3

Answer: ______________
3) The area of a circle in relation to its radius is given in the table below.
 a. Use to to graph the function.
b. Draw a secant on the interval of 1  x  8 .

Radius (cm) Area (cm2) a) and b) Graph: Area vs. Radius

1 3.141593

2 12.56637

3 28.27433

4 50.26548

5 78.53982

6 113.0973

7 153.938

8 201.0619

c. Determine the average rate of change between a radius of 1cm and a radius of 8cm.

d. Would you expect this to be the same average rate of change if the endpoints of the interval were 2cm and 6cm?
Explain your answer.
Answers
1) Determine the average rate of change between the two given points.

a) f ( x ) b) f ( x)
Solution: =5 Solution: =1
x x

2)
f ( x)
a. Solution: = −3
x
f ( x)
b. Solution: = 3.5
x
f ( x)
c. Solution: = 0.3
x

3) Solutions

a) +b)

Radius vs Area
250

200

150

100

50

0
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

𝛥𝑓(𝑥)
c) 𝛥𝑥
≐ 28.27cm2/cm.

f) No, this would not be the same average rate of change.

The function does not have a constant rate of change so the average rate of change is unlikely to be
the same.