fill in each blank so that the resulting statement is true. if (x₁, f(x₁)) and (x₂, f(x₂)) are distinct…

fill in each blank so that the resulting statement is true. if (x₁, f(x₁)) and (x₂, f(x₂)) are distinct points on the graph of a function f, the average rate of change of f from x₁ to x₂ is ______. select the correct answer below. a. $\frac{f(x₂)+f(x₁)}{x₂ - x₁}$ b. $\frac{f(x₂)-f(x₁)}{x₂ + x₁}$ c. $\frac{f(x₂)-f(x₁)}{x₂ - x₁}$ d. $\frac{f(x₂)+f(x₁)}{x₂ + x₁}$
Answer
Explanation:
Step1: Recall average rate - of - change formula
The average rate of change of a function (y = f(x)) from (x = x_1) to (x=x_2) is given by the ratio of the change in the function values to the change in the (x) - values. The change in the function values is (f(x_2)-f(x_1)) and the change in the (x) - values is (x_2 - x_1).
Step2: Write the formula
The average rate of change is (\frac{f(x_2)-f(x_1)}{x_2 - x_1}).
Answer:
C. (\frac{f(x_2)-f(x_1)}{x_2 - x_1})