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Rate of Change
See It in Action
Two examples of the idea done right—and one common look-alike that is not right.
EXAMPLE
EXAMPLE
NON-EXAMPLE
Definition
In Algebra 1, the rate of change describes how one quantity changes in relation to another quantity. It is often expressed as the ratio of the change in the dependent variable (usually y to the change in the independent variable (usually x). Mathematically, it is calculated using the formula:
This concept is commonly used in the context of linear functions to describe the slope of a line, indicating how much y changes for a given change in x. A positive rate of change indicates an increase, while a negative rate indicates a decrease.
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