What is Rate of Change?

The left graph is an example of a 'rate of change' because it is a rate that describes how height changes with respect to a change in time
The rate of change between A and B is positive because the height and time are both increasing
The rate of change between C and D is negative because the height decreases while the time increases
Notice that finding rate of change follows the same formula as finding the slope!

1. This is an example of a rate of change
1. Rate of change is the vertical change on the graph divided by the horizontal change on the graph
1. 8-0 is the change in y-values, or the vertical change
2. 0.5-0 is the change in x-values, or the horizontal change
3. This will also give us the slope of the line for this interval
4. 8/0.5 = 16
5. Since we have a positive number, our rate of change is an increase
1. 4-8 is the change in y-values, or the vertical change
2. 2-1 is the change in x-values, or the horizontal change
3. This will also give us the slope of the line for this interval
4. -4/1 = -4
5. Since we have a negative number, our rate of change is a decrease

Definition: What is rate of change?