rate of change
nounUK /reɪt əv tʃeɪndʒ/
US /reɪt əv tʃeɪndʒ/
How fast one thing changes compared to another thing.
The rate of change of the car's speed was two miles per hour every minute.
OTHER MEANINGS
2. In math, the slope of a line showing how much y changes when x changes.
The rate of change of the line was 3, so it went up 3 units for every 1 unit across.
3. In science, how quickly a quantity like temperature or population grows or shrinks over time.
Scientists measured the rate of change in the ice sheet's thickness each year.
4. In everyday life, how quickly a situation or price goes up or down.
The rate of change in gas prices made drivers nervous.