I'm sure you want your functions to appear as perfectly formed as possible so that others can help you. f(x) = 4(2)x should be written with the " ^ " sign to denote exponentation: f(x) = 4(2)^x

f(b) - f(a)

The formula for "average rate of change" is a.r.c. = --------------

b - a

change in function value

This is equivalent to ---------------------------------------

change in x value

For Section A: x changes from 1 to 2 and the function changes from 4(2)^1 to 4(2)^2: 8 to 16. Thus, "change in function value" is 8 for a 1-unit change in x from 1 to 2. Thus, in this Section, the a.r.c. is:

------ = 8 units (Section A)

Section B: x changes from 3 to 4, a net change of 1 unit: f(x) changes from

4(2)^3 to 4(2)^4, or 32 to 256, a net change of 224 units. Thus, the a.r.c. is

224 units

----------------- = 224 units (Section B)

1 unit

The a.r.c for Section B is 28 times greater than the a.r.c. for Section A.

This change in outcome is so great because the function f(x) is an exponential function; as x increases in unit steps, the function increases much faster (we say "exponentially").

7 0

2 years ago