Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.
Average Rate of Change
The average rate of change of a function over an interval is calculated as the change in the function's value divided by the change in the input value. Mathematically, it is expressed as (f(x2) - f(x1)) / (x2 - x1). This concept is essential for understanding how a function behaves over a specific interval.
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Function Evaluation
Function evaluation involves substituting specific values into a function to determine its output. For the function f(x) = x² + 2x, evaluating it at x = 1 and x = 2 means calculating f(1) and f(2). This step is crucial for finding the values needed to compute the average rate of change.
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Quadratic Functions
A quadratic function is a polynomial function of degree two, typically expressed in the form f(x) = ax² + bx + c, where a, b, and c are constants. Understanding the properties of quadratic functions, such as their parabolic shape and vertex, helps in analyzing their behavior and calculating rates of change effectively.
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