The rate of change of a linear function can be found by calculating the difference in y-values (vertical change) divided by the difference in x-values (horizontal change) between any two points on the table.
For example, we can calculate the rate of change between the first two points:
Rate of change = (change in y) / (change in x)
= (-4) - (-2) / 4 - 0
= -2 / 4
= -1/2
This means that for every increase of 1 in x, there is a decrease of 1/2 in y.
Similarly, if we calculate the rate of change between the next two points:
Rate of change = (change in y) / (change in x)
= (-6) - (-4) / 8 - 4
= -2 / 4
= -1/2
We can see that the rate of change is constant and equal to -1/2. This means that for every increase of 1 in x, there is a decrease of 1/2 in y.
The table below represents a linear function. Identify the rate of change of the function.
x y
0 -2
4 -4
8 -6
12 -8
1 answer
1 answer