Lesson Vocabulary

• rate of change
• slope

Problem 1 Finding Rate of Change Using a Table

Marching Band The table shows the distance a band marches over time. Is the rate of change in distance with respect to time constant? What does the rate of change represent?

rate of change = change in distance change in time rateofchange . equals . fraction changeindistance , over changeintime end fraction

Calculate the rate of change from one row of the table to the next.

520 − 260 2 − 1 = 260 1 780 − 520 3 − 2 = 260 1 1040 − 780 4 − 3 = 260 1 fraction 520 minus 260 , over 2 minus 1 end fraction . equals , 260 over 1 . fraction 780 minus 520 , over 3 minus 2 end fraction . equals , 260 over 1 . fraction 1040 , minus 780 , over 4 minus 3 end fraction . equals , 260 over 1

The rate of change is constant and equals 260   ft 1 min . fraction 260 ft , over 1 min end fraction . .  It represents the distance the band marches per minute.

✓ Got It?

1. In Problem 1, do you get the same rate of change if you use nonconsecutive rows of the table? Explain.