The table shows the amount of pet food in cups remaining in an automatic feeder as a function of the number of meals the feeder has dispensed.
Number of meals dispensed, n:1,3,6,7
Amount of pet food remaining, f (n) (cups):21,15,6,3
Based on the table, which value represents the rate of change
for this situation?
The rate of change in this situation can be represented by the difference in the amount of pet food remaining between consecutive meals.
- Between meals 1 and 3: 21 cups - 15 cups = 6 cups
- Between meals 3 and 6: 15 cups - 6 cups = 9 cups
- Between meals 6 and 7: 6 cups - 3 cups = 3 cups
Therefore, the rate of change for this situation can be represented as 6 cups, 9 cups, and 3 cups between meals 1 and 3, 3 and 6, and 6 and 7, respectively.