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How Do You Find the Rate of Change Between Two Points on a Graph?

Sarah loves to run marathons. After 1 hour, she has run 6 miles, and after 2 hours, she has run 12 miles. Find the rate of change that represents the distance she has run.

Summary

  1. In our figure we have plotted Sarah's distance at 1 hr and 2 hours. So we have the points (1,6) and (2,12) in the graph!
  2. mi- miles
  3. hr- hours
  4. A rate is a kind of ratio, and in this case the rate of change is the ratio of the change in distance to the change in time!
  5. Don't forget to include the units when you find the rate of change! In this problem distance has units of miles and time has units of hours.

Notes

    1. A rate is a kind of ratio, and you should check out the links below for more help if you want a reminder about rates!
    1. If we look at the vertical change, we'll be able to see the change in distance
    1. If we find the horizontal change then we'll get the change in time.
    1. A rate is a kind of ratio, and in this case the rate of change is the ratio of the change in distance to the change in time!