MAT 251: ARC, Diff Quotient, Definition of Derivative

1. Find the average rate of change for the function f(t) on the interval [2,10].

t 0 2 4 6 8 10 12
f(t) 10 9 7 4 5 8 15

3
2. Find the average rate of change for f ( x)  on the interval [1,5]
x 1

3. The employment trends in the US between 2000 and 2009 are shown graphically for two
different sectors of the economy. For each sector, estimate the average rate of change in
percent per year for (a) 2000 to 2006 and (b) 2005 to 2009

4. A car’s distance traveled t seconds after it starts moving is given by s (t )  10 t , where

distance is measured in feet. What was its average velocity from t = 4 to t = 9?

5. The population of the USA between 1790 and 2000 can be modeled by the function
P (t )  21631  24.05t  0.0067t 2 , where t indicates the calendar year and the population is
given in millions of people. What was the average rate of population change in the US between
1950 and 1990?
MAT 251: ARC, Diff Quotient, Definition of Derivative

6. Write the simplified difference quotient for

a) f ( x)  9

b) g ( x)  5 x  8

c) h( x)  x 2  7 x  8

3
d) j( x) 
x 1

e) k ( x)  x  5

7. Determine the derivative of f ( x)  3x 2  5 using the definition of a derivative.

MAT 251: ARC, Diff Quotient, Definition of Derivative

Solutions:
1. -1/8
2. -1/4
3. Pro Services: a) about 0.83 % per year b) about -0.5% per year
Health Care: a) about 2.5% per year b) about 2.25% per year
4. 2 feet per second
5. 2.348 million people per year (increase)
6. a) 0
b) 5
c) 2x + h – 7
3
d)
( x  1)( x  h  1)
1
e)
xh5  x5

7. f ’(x)= 6x