Math Problem Statement

Describe the graph of f(x) by selecting the correct statement about the intervals where the average rate of change is negative.

Solution

To solve the problem, let's analyze the graph and check the intervals for the average rate of change:

Step 1: Interpret the intervals and their slopes

  • The average rate of change is determined by the slope of the line segments between two points. A negative slope indicates that the function is decreasing over the interval.

Step 2: Analyze each interval on the graph

  1. Interval [0, 1]: The function decreases from f(0)=1f(0) = -1 to f(1)=2f(1) = -2. The slope is negative.
  2. Interval [1, 3]: The function increases from f(1)=2f(1) = -2 to f(3)=0f(3) = 0. The slope is positive.
  3. Interval [3, 4]: The function decreases from f(3)=0f(3) = 0 to f(4)=1f(4) = -1. The slope is negative.
  4. Interval [4, 6]: The function increases from f(4)=1f(4) = -1 to f(6)=3f(6) = 3. The slope is positive.
  5. Interval [6, 7]: The function decreases from f(6)=3f(6) = 3 to f(7)=1f(7) = 1. The slope is negative.

Step 3: Match the intervals with the options

From the analysis:

  • The average rate of change is negative on [0, 1], [3, 4], and [6, 7].
  • The correct statement is:

    "The average rate of change is negative on the interval [0, 1] and on the interval [3, 4]."


Final Answer:

The last option is correct.

Would you like further details or a breakdown of the calculations?

Here are 5 related questions to expand your understanding:

  1. How is the average rate of change calculated for a specific interval?
  2. What does a positive slope indicate about the behavior of a function?
  3. How do you identify intervals of increasing or decreasing functions from a graph?
  4. Can a function have multiple intervals with the same type of slope?
  5. How would the analysis change if this were a continuous curve instead of piecewise linear?

Tip: To find the average rate of change on any interval, use the formula:
Slope=f(b)f(a)ba\text{Slope} = \frac{f(b) - f(a)}{b - a}
where aa and bb are the endpoints of the interval.

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Math Problem Analysis

Mathematical Concepts

Functions
Graph Analysis
Slopes
Average Rate of Change

Formulas

Slope formula: (f(b) - f(a)) / (b - a)

Theorems

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Suitable Grade Level

Grades 9-11