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.
Look at the graph below and determine whether the function's rate of change is constant or not:
Incorrect
Correct Answer:
Not constant
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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
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
Incorrect
Correct Answer:
Non-uniform
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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