Given fx) = 17 - x2, what is the average rate of change in f (x) over the interval [1, 5]?

Let [a, b] = the interval

The average rate of change can be found by using [f (b) - f (a) ] / (b - a).

Let a = 1 and b = 5.

Let R = rate of change

17 - x^2

R = [17 - 5^2] - [17 - 1^2] / (5 - 1)

R = [17 - 25] - [17 - 1]/4

R = [ (-8) - (16) ]/4

R = (-24) / 4

R = - 6

Done.

Answer: A. - 6