Chapter 3: Problem 84
If the graph of a linear equation rises from left to right, then the average rate of change is _____(positive/negative). If the graph of a linear equation falls from left to right, then the average rate of change is _____(positive/negative).
Short Answer
Expert verified
Positive; Negative
Step by step solution
01
Title - Understand the Problem
To determine whether the average rate of change is positive or negative, analyze the direction in which the graph is moving from left to right.
02
Title - Determine the Direction
If a graph rises from left to right, it is moving upward in the direction of positive y-values as x-values increase.
03
Title - Positive Slope
When the graph rises from left to right, the slope is positive. Hence, the average rate of change is positive.
04
Title - Falls from Left to Right
If a graph falls from left to right, it is moving downward in the direction of negative y-values as x-values increase.
05
Title - Negative Slope
When the graph falls from left to right, the slope is negative. Hence, the average rate of change is negative.
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Linear Equations
Linear equations are mathematical statements that show a relationship between two variables with consistent rates of change. Usually, these equations appear in the form: \( y = mx + b \), where \( m \) is the slope and \( b \) is the y-intercept. The slope \( m \) tells us how steep the line is and in which direction it goes. A line can either rise, fall, or be flat. Understanding linear equations is crucial because they form the foundation for graphing and solving real-life problems. Start with identifying the slope to determine the direction of the line.
Positive Slope
Imagine you are looking at a graph where a line rises as you move from the left side to the right side. This situation represents a positive slope. When the slope is positive, the value of \( m \) in the linear equation \( y = mx + b \) will be greater than zero. A positive slope means that as \( x \) increases, \( y \) also increases.
- If the slope is \( m = 2 \), it means for every unit increase in \( x \), \( y \) increases by 2 units.
- A real-life example might be a car speeding up, where the distance traveled increases as time goes on.
Negative Slope
Now let's consider a graph where the line falls as you move from the left side to the right side. This situation represents a negative slope. When the slope is negative, the value of \( m \) in the linear equation \( y = mx + b \) will be less than zero. A negative slope means that as \( x \) increases, \( y \) decreases.
- If the slope is \( m = -3 \), it means for every unit increase in \( x \), \( y \) decreases by 3 units.
- A real-life example might be a car slowing down or coming to a stop, where the speed decreases over time.
Graph Analysis
Graph analysis involves interpreting the information shown on a graph to understand the relationship between the variables. For linear equations, the primary feature analyzed is the slope. To analyze a graph:
- First, identify whether the line goes upward or downward as you move from left to right.
- If the line rises, identify that it has a positive slope.
- If the line falls, determine that it has a negative slope.