Question

the graph shows the weight of a bag of rice, y, as a function of the number of cups of rice used, x.
rate of change = \frac{change in y - values}{change in x - values}=\frac{15 - 21}{3 - 0}=-2
what does the rate of change tell you?
the weight? for every cup of rice used.

Explanation:

Step1: Interpret rate - of - change meaning

The rate of change in this context represents the change in the weight of the bag of rice (y) per unit change in the number of cups of rice used (x). A negative rate of change means the quantity (weight) is decreasing.

Step2: Analyze the value

The rate of change is - 2. This implies that for every 1 - unit increase in the number of cups of rice used (x), the weight of the bag of rice (y) decreases by 2 pounds.

Answer:

decreases by 2 pounds