Which is the best estimate for the average rate of change for the quadratic function graph on the interval 0 ≤ x ≤ 4?
a) −1
b) −2
c) −3
d) −4

ANSWER

A) -1

EXPLANATION

The average rate of change of the given quadratic function on the interval 0 ≤ x ≤4 is the slope of the secant line connecting the points (0,f(0)) and (4,f(4)).

That is the average rate of change is:



From the graph, f(0) is 0 and f(4) is -4.

We plug in these values to obtain;



This simplifies to;





Hence the average rate of change for the given quadratic function whose graph is shown on 0≤x≤4 is -1