Use the image to answer the question.

a coordinate plane for f of x versus x

Describe the behavior of the function by determining over which interval the function has a negative average rate of change. Consider only intervals with consecutive endpoints shown on the graph.

(1 point)
The average rate of change is negative over the interval [
,
].

1 answer

To determine the interval where the function has a negative average rate of change, we look for segments of the graph where the function decreases as \( x \) increases.

Without the image, I can't specify the exact interval, but you would typically identify the intervals by examining the slope between consecutive points. The average rate of change from \( x_1 \) to \( x_2 \) can be calculated as:

\[ \text{Average Rate of Change} = \frac{f(x_2) - f(x_1)}{x_2 - x_1} \]

If \( f(x_2) < f(x_1) \), then this value will be negative, indicating a negative average rate of change.

Look for points on the graph where the line segment connecting them slopes downward, which means that you’re looking for intervals where \( f(x) \) decreases.

Once you identify such intervals with consecutive endpoints on the graph, you can write your answer in the format:

The average rate of change is negative over the interval \([x_1, x_2]\).

Make sure to replace \( x_1 \) and \( x_2 \) with the appropriate values from the graph!