Expert: Paul Klarreich - 1/8/2010

Question
find the average rate of change of the function over the given interval or intervals:

h(t)= cot t

a)[(pi)/43, (pi)/4]

b)[(pi)/6, (pi)/2]

Answer
Questioner: meg
Country: United States
Category: Calculus
Private: No
Subject: calculus
Question: find the average rate of change of the function over the given interval or intervals:

h(t)= cot t

a)[(pi)/43, (pi)/4]

b)[(pi)/6, (pi)/2]
.....................................
Just think of 'average speed' as what you learned in ninth grade:  Distance/time.
So a.r.o.c. is the generalization of that.

Your book has this definition:

The average rate of change of a function, f(x), over a given interval [a,b] is:

f(b) - f(a)
-----------
 b - a

Ok, now use your h(t), and for your examples, use the given boundaries, and you have it.  (You might need to review your trigonometry.)