Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Verified for the 2026 exam
Verified for the 2026 exam•Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Definition
A constant rate means that the value of the rate does not change over time. In this context, it means that the temperature is decreasing at a steady pace without speeding up or slowing down.
The average rate of change measures the total change in a function divided by the total time taken for that change. It's different from a constant rate because it can include periods of acceleration or deceleration.