Vocabulary

Rate of Change - ratio of the "vertical change" to the "horizontal change" between (any) two distinct points on a line. It is also called the slope.

Concept

Identify the rate of change of function in the form y = mx+b.

Rules

The rate of change or slope is the coefficient of x in the given function.

Example

What is the rate of change in the function y = 2x-7? 

7

-7

2

$\frac{1}{2}$

Solution

The coefficient of x (slope) is the rate of change of the function.

Pre-requisite Skills

Functions (8.5.3)

Slope (8.3.2)