Rate of change: tables

Compute and interpret slope directly from tabular data.

Lesson 6

Concept

Rate of change is Δy/Δx. In linear tables, this value is constant and equals slope.

From points (1, 5) and (4, 11) in a table, compute the rate of change.

If Δy = 12 and Δx = 3, slope is:

A constant positive slope means the function is:

Decreasing

Increasing linearly

Nonlinear

Constant

These steps are out of order — can you fix them?

1.Find Δx

2.Choose two data points

3.Compute Δy/Δx and interpret

4.Find Δy

How does the sign of slope change interpretation?