1. Let [tex][tex]$y = f(x) = x^2 - 9$[/tex][/tex].

(a) Find the average rate of change of [tex][tex]$y$[/tex][/tex] with respect to [tex][tex]$x$[/tex][/tex] over the interval [tex]\{2, 6\}[/tex].

(b) Find the instantaneous rate of change of [tex][tex]$y$[/tex][/tex] at [tex][tex]$x = 4$[/tex][/tex].



Answer :

Sure, let's solve each part of the question step-by-step.

### Part (a): Average Rate of Change

The average rate of change of a function [tex]\( y = f(x) \)[/tex] over an interval [tex]\([a, b]\)[/tex] is given by:
[tex]\[ \text{Average rate of change} = \frac{f(b) - f(a)}{b - a} \][/tex]

Here, we are given the function [tex]\( y = f(x) = x^1 - 9 \)[/tex] and the interval [tex]\([2, 6]\)[/tex]. So, let's calculate the values of [tex]\( f(2) \)[/tex] and [tex]\( f(6) \)[/tex]:

1. Calculate [tex]\( f(2) \)[/tex]:
[tex]\[ f(2) = 2^1 - 9 = 2 - 9 = -7 \][/tex]

2. Calculate [tex]\( f(6) \)[/tex]:
[tex]\[ f(6) = 6^1 - 9 = 6 - 9 = -3 \][/tex]

Next, we use these values to find the average rate of change:
[tex]\[ \text{Average rate of change} = \frac{f(6) - f(2)}{6 - 2} = \frac{-3 - (-7)}{6 - 2} = \frac{-3 + 7}{6 - 2} = \frac{4}{4} = 1 \][/tex]

So, the average rate of change of [tex]\( y \)[/tex] with respect to [tex]\( x \)[/tex] over the interval [tex]\([2, 6]\)[/tex] is [tex]\( 1.0 \)[/tex].

### Part (b): Instantaneous Rate of Change

The instantaneous rate of change at a point [tex]\( x \)[/tex] is given by the derivative of the function [tex]\( y = f(x) \)[/tex] evaluated at that point.

The function given is:
[tex]\[ y = f(x) = x^1 - 9 \][/tex]

To find the instantaneous rate of change at [tex]\( x = 4 \)[/tex], we first find the derivative of [tex]\( f(x) \)[/tex]. Since [tex]\( f(x) = x - 9 \)[/tex], the derivative [tex]\( f'(x) \)[/tex] is:
[tex]\[ f'(x) = \frac{d}{dx} (x - 9) = 1 \][/tex]

Now, we evaluate the derivative at [tex]\( x = 4 \)[/tex]:
[tex]\[ f'(4) = 1 \][/tex]

So, the instantaneous rate of change of [tex]\( y \)[/tex] at [tex]\( x = 4 \)[/tex] is [tex]\( 1 \)[/tex].

### Summary

- The average rate of change of [tex]\( y \)[/tex] with respect to [tex]\( x \)[/tex] over the interval [tex]\([2, 6]\)[/tex] is [tex]\( 1.0 \)[/tex].
- The instantaneous rate of change of [tex]\( y \)[/tex] at [tex]\( x = 4 \)[/tex] is [tex]\( 1 \)[/tex].

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