Comparing Averages: Slope Between Two Points

  • Thread starter Thread starter alliereid
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Points Slope
AI Thread Summary
The average slope between two points on a curve is typically represented by the slope of the straight line connecting those points. This average slope can differ from the slopes of individual segments of the curve, which may vary significantly. The discussion highlights that while the average slope provides a general measure, it does not capture the nuances of the curve's behavior between the points. An example involving a runner illustrates that even without knowing the runner's speed at every moment, the average velocity can still be determined. Understanding this distinction is crucial for analyzing slopes in mathematical contexts.
alliereid
Messages
18
Reaction score
0

Homework Statement


What can you conclude about average slope between two points and the slopes of the individual line segments on which the points lie?


Homework Equations





The Attempt at a Solution


I thought that the average slope slope numerical answer is in between the slopes of the two points but the question is worth two marks so there must be another fact to it.
 
Physics news on Phys.org
I think that what they are trying to get at is this:

Given any curve between two points, how does the average value of the slope compare to the slope that would be found by drawing a straight line between the points.

Hint: If it is known that bob runs 5km north in one hour, with no knowledge about his speed or direction at any time within that hour, can we still conclude something about his average velocity?
 
Thread 'Confusion regarding a chemical kinetics problem'
TL;DR Summary: cannot find out error in solution proposed. [![question with rate laws][1]][1] Now the rate law for the reaction (i.e reaction rate) can be written as: $$ R= k[N_2O_5] $$ my main question is, WHAT is this reaction equal to? what I mean here is, whether $$k[N_2O_5]= -d[N_2O_5]/dt$$ or is it $$k[N_2O_5]= -1/2 \frac{d}{dt} [N_2O_5] $$ ? The latter seems to be more apt, as the reaction rate must be -1/2 (disappearance rate of N2O5), which adheres to the stoichiometry of the...
Back
Top