Answer :

To determine the average rate of change of the function [tex]\( f(x) = -2x^2 + 3x + 8 \)[/tex] from [tex]\( x = 3 \)[/tex] to [tex]\( x = 4 \)[/tex], we follow these steps:

1. Evaluate the function at [tex]\( x = 3 \)[/tex]:
[tex]\[ f(3) = -2(3)^2 + 3(3) + 8 \][/tex]
Calculate the terms individually:
[tex]\[ -2(3)^2 = -2 \cdot 9 = -18 \][/tex]
[tex]\[ 3(3) = 9 \][/tex]
[tex]\[ -18 + 9 + 8 = -1 \][/tex]
Thus, [tex]\( f(3) = -1 \)[/tex].

2. Evaluate the function at [tex]\( x = 4 \)[/tex]:
[tex]\[ f(4) = -2(4)^2 + 3(4) + 8 \][/tex]
Calculate the terms individually:
[tex]\[ -2(4)^2 = -2 \cdot 16 = -32 \][/tex]
[tex]\[ 3(4) = 12 \][/tex]
[tex]\[ -32 + 12 + 8 = -12 \][/tex]
Thus, [tex]\( f(4) = -12 \)[/tex].

3. Calculate the average rate of change:
The formula for the average rate of change of a function [tex]\( f(x) \)[/tex] over an interval [tex]\([x_1, x_2]\)[/tex] is given by:
[tex]\[ \frac{f(x_2) - f(x_1)}{x_2 - x_1} \][/tex]
Substitute [tex]\( x_1 = 3 \)[/tex], [tex]\( f(3) = -1 \)[/tex], [tex]\( x_2 = 4 \)[/tex], and [tex]\( f(4) = -12 \)[/tex]:
[tex]\[ \frac{f(4) - f(3)}{4 - 3} = \frac{-12 - (-1)}{4 - 3} = \frac{-12 + 1}{1} = \frac{-11}{1} = -11 \][/tex]

Thus, the average rate of change of [tex]\( f(x) \)[/tex] from [tex]\( x = 3 \)[/tex] to [tex]\( x = 4 \)[/tex] is [tex]\(-11\)[/tex].

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