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Ch. 2 - Graphs and Functions
Lial - College Algebra 13th Edition
Lial13th EditionCollege AlgebraISBN: 9780136881063Not the one you use?Change textbook
Chapter 3, Problem 66

Find and interpret the average rate of change illustrated in each graph.
Line graph showing amount saved in dollars increasing steadily from \$0 to \$200 over 4 months.

Verified step by step guidance
1
Step 1: Identify two points on the graph to calculate the average rate of change. For example, use the points (2, 90) and (8, 360).
Step 2: Recall the formula for the average rate of change between two points \((x_1, y_1)\) and \((x_2, y_2)\):
\[\text{Average Rate of Change} = \frac{y_2 - y_1}{x_2 - x_1}\]
Step 3: Substitute the coordinates of the chosen points into the formula:
\[\frac{360 - 90}{8 - 2}\]
Step 4: Simplify the expression to find the average rate of change, which represents the change in carbon production rate per year.
Step 5: Interpret the result as the average increase in Company X's bi-yearly carbon production rate (in tonnes) for each year over the 8-year period.

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Key Concepts

Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.

Average Rate of Change

The average rate of change measures how much a quantity changes, on average, between two points. It is calculated as the change in the output (y-values) divided by the change in the input (x-values). In this context, it shows how the carbon production rate changes per year.
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Interpreting Coordinates on a Graph

Each point on the graph represents a specific year and the corresponding carbon production rate. Understanding these coordinates helps in calculating the rate of change and interpreting real-world data, such as how production increases over time.
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Linear Relationships

A linear relationship is shown by a straight line on the graph, indicating a constant rate of change. Here, the straight line connecting the points suggests that the carbon production rate increases steadily over the years.
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