The rate of change of a function represented by a table of values allows us to compare the variation of the values of X (the independent variable of the function) with the variation of the values of Y (dependent variable of the function). This comparison enables us to determine if the intervals are fixed or not, and, consequently, if the rate of change is constant or not.
Given the following graph, determine whether function is constant
Incorrect
Correct Answer:
The graph does not represents a function
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For each X we will fill in the corresponding Y.
We will see at what rate the Y variables increase in the table. If the Y variables grow at the same rate, we can determine that the rate of change of the function is constant.
Function with Constant Rate of Change
We will illustrate this topic with the help of two different tables
In this table, the first column represents the variables X and the second, the variables Y according to their correspondence.
If we look closely, we will see that there is a fixed rate that is maintained throughout all the values. For every increase in X there is a corresponding increase of 1 in the Y variables.
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Test your knowledge
Question 1
Look at the graph below and determine whether the function's rate of change is constant or not:
Incorrect
Correct Answer:
Not constant
Question 2
Given the following graph, determine whether the rate of change is uniform or not
Incorrect
Correct Answer:
Uniform
Question 3
Given the following graph, determine whether the rate of change is uniform or not
Incorrect
Correct Answer:
The graph does not represents a function
Function with a non-constant rate of change
Table representation of a function with a non-constant rate of change
Also in this table, the first column represents the X variables and the second the Y variables according to their correspondence.
If we look closely, we will see that in this case there is no fixed rate that remains stable across all values.
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Examples and exercises with solutions on the rate of change of a function represented by a table of values
Exercise #1
Given the following graph, determine whether the rate of change is uniform or not?
Video Solution
Step-by-Step Solution
Let's remember that if the function is not a straight line, its rate of change is not uniform.
Since the graph is not a straight line - the rate of change is not uniform.
Answer
Non-uniform
Exercise #2
Given the following graph, determine whether the rate of change is uniform or not
Video Solution
Step-by-Step Solution
Let's remember that if the function is not a straight line, its rate of change is not uniform.
Since the graph is not a straight line - the rate of change is not uniform.
Answer
Non-uniform
Exercise #3
Look at the graph below and determine whether the function's rate of change is constant or not:
Video Solution
Step-by-Step Solution
First we need to remember that if the function is not a straight line, its rate of change is not constant.
The rate of change is not uniform since the function is not a straight line.
Answer
Not constant
Exercise #4
Given the following graph, determine whether the rate of change is uniform or not
Video Solution
Step-by-Step Solution
The problem requires us to determine whether the rate of change in a given graph is uniform.
A uniform rate of change corresponds to a constant slope, which is characteristic of a linear graph. First, we'll examine the graphical representation.
Upon observing the graph, we see that it displays a straight horizontal line. A horizontal line on a graph indicates that for any two points (x1,y1) and (x2,y2), the difference in y-values is zero, i.e., y2−y1=0. This implies that the slope, given by the formula x2−x1y2−y1, is zero and remains constant as we move along the line.
Because the line is horizontal and does not change its slope throughout, the rate of change is indeed uniform across the entire graph.
Therefore, the rate of change is uniform.
Answer
Uniform
Exercise #5
Given the following graph, determine whether the rate of change is uniform or not?
Video Solution
Step-by-Step Solution
Remember that if the function is a straight line, its rate of change will be constant.
Due to the fact that the graph is a straight line - the rate of change is constant.
Answer
Uniform
Do you know what the answer is?
Question 1
Given the following graph, determine whether the rate of change is uniform or not
Incorrect
Correct Answer:
Non-uniform
Question 2
Given the following graph, determine whether the rate of change is uniform or not
Incorrect
Correct Answer:
Non-uniform
Question 3
Given the following graph, determine whether the rate of change is uniform or not