# average rate of change

• Aug 16th 2008, 10:14 AM
blague
average rate of change
The average rate of change of a functional between 2 and 7 is equal to 1/2. If f(2)=12, determine f(7). Provide a possible function for f.
• Aug 16th 2008, 10:19 AM
galactus
Average rate of change is $\frac{f(b)-f(a)}{b-a}$

We have $\frac{f(7)-f(2)}{5}=\frac{1}{2}$

$\frac{f(7)-12}{5}=\frac{1}{2}$

Now, what is f(7)?.
• Aug 16th 2008, 10:31 AM
blague
thanks for your answer galactus, but unforunately it's not what I'm looking for because I need to use an equation relating to calculus. I'm not sure if this is the equation.... lim f(x+h)-f(x) /h [what would x and h be??]
• Aug 16th 2008, 10:55 AM
wingless
Quote:

Originally Posted by blague
thanks for your answer galactus, but unforunately it's not what I'm looking for because I need to use an equation relating to calculus. I'm not sure if this is the equation.... lim f(x+h)-f(x) /h [what would x and h be??]

The limit formula you have is $\lim_{h\to 0} \frac{f(x+h)-f(x)}{h}$ and it's for instant rate of change, not average rate of change.