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Rates of Change

Olivia King

Olivia King

7 min read

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Study Guide Overview

This study guide covers rates of change in AP Precalculus, focusing on calculating the average rate of change using the formula (f(b) - f(a))/(b - a). It explains how to interpret positive and negative rates of change and analyze trends in change. The guide includes practice questions, exam tips, and emphasizes the connection between average rate of change and slope.

AP Pre-Calculus Study Guide: Rates of Change

Hey there, future AP Pre-Calc master! Let's dive into rates of change. This is a crucial topic, and we're going to make sure you're totally comfortable with it. Think of this as your go-to guide for a quick review before the big exam. Let's get started! 🚀

1.2 Rates of Change

📐 Average Rates of Change: Speaking in Ratios

The average rate of change measures how much a function's output changes over a specific interval. It's all about ratios! Think of it as the slope of a line connecting two points on the function's graph. 📏

Key Concept

It's calculated as the change in output (y-values) divided by the change in input (x-values) over an interval [a, b]:

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

In simpler terms, it tells you how fast or slow a function is changing over a period.

average-rate-of-change-formula.png

Image Courtesy of Inch Calculator

📈 Trends in Change

The rate of change at a specific point tells you how quickly the function's output is changing at that exact spot. It's like measuring the steepness of the curve at that point. 😁

![Screenshot 2023-03-11 at 9.03.25 PM.png](https://raw.githubusercontent.com/kshitij10496/ap-precalculus-guide/main/Screenshot%202023-03-11%20at...

Question 1 of 8

What is the average rate of change of the function f(x)=x2+2xf(x) = x^2 + 2x over the interval [1,3][1, 3]? 🚀

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