Answer:
- 6
Step-by-step explanation:
The average rate of change of f(x) in the closed interval [ a, b ] is
[tex]\frac{f(b)-f(a)}{b-a}[/tex]
here [ a, b ] = [ 1, 5 ]
f(b) = f(5) = 17 - 5² = - 8
f(a) = f(1) = 17 - 1² = 16
average rate of change = [tex]\frac{-8-16}{5-1}[/tex] = [tex]\frac{-24}{4}[/tex] = - 6
