Math Problem Statement

What is the average rate of change of a constant function f on an interval [a, b], a 6= b? (i) 1 (ii) it depends on the interval [a, b] (iii) it depends on the function f (iv) 0

Solution

The average rate of change of a function f(x)f(x) on the interval [a,b][a, b] is given by:

Average Rate of Change=f(b)f(a)ba\text{Average Rate of Change} = \frac{f(b) - f(a)}{b - a}

For a constant function f(x)=cf(x) = c (where cc is a constant), the values of f(a)f(a) and f(b)f(b) are the same, i.e., f(a)=f(b)=cf(a) = f(b) = c.

Substituting into the formula:

f(b)f(a)ba=ccba=0ba=0\frac{f(b) - f(a)}{b - a} = \frac{c - c}{b - a} = \frac{0}{b - a} = 0

Therefore, the correct answer is:

(iv) 0

Would you like any further details or have any questions?

Here are 5 related questions:

  1. How do you calculate the average rate of change for a linear function?
  2. What does the average rate of change represent geometrically?
  3. Can the average rate of change be negative? If so, under what conditions?
  4. How does the average rate of change differ for non-linear functions?
  5. What is the significance of the interval [a,b][a, b] when calculating the average rate of change?

Tip: The average rate of change is essentially the slope of the secant line connecting two points on the function's graph over the interval [a,b][a, b].

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Math Problem Analysis

Mathematical Concepts

Calculus
Average Rate of Change
Constant Functions

Formulas

Average Rate of Change formula: (f(b) - f(a)) / (b - a)

Theorems

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Suitable Grade Level

High School