1. Average rate of change

Hi,

I hope someone can help. I'm trying to solve for 4a:

The answer is apparently 7 - however I don't understand how there could even be an average rate of change that has no slope to begin with. y = f(x) is a horizontal line, therefore there is no slope. Please let me know if my thinking is wrong regarding this. I would appreciate some guidance!

Sincerely,
Olivia

2. Re: Average rate of change

avg rate of change = $\dfrac{f(5)-f(4)}{5-4}$

obviously, with no graph posted, that's as far as I can go ...

3. Re: Average rate of change

Lol yeah that's all the textbook gave me which is kind of dumb. Thanks for your help anyways

4. Re: Average rate of change

Originally Posted by otownsend
Lol yeah that's all the textbook gave me which is kind of dumb.
the text didn't have a graph to refer to? ...

y = f(x) is a horizontal line, therefore there is no slope.
... how did you determine this statement about f(x), then?

5. Re: Average rate of change

Never mind, I was just being dumb -_- The graph was hidden on the side of the textbook page. I am now able to solve the question.