For which interval is the average rate of change of f(x) negative? On a coordinate plane, a function starts from above quadrant two and goes through (negative 4, 0) to (negative 3, negative 3). The function then curves upward toward (0, 1) and then curves down toward (3, negative 3). The function then curves up and approaches x = 5. from x = –3.5 to x = –1 from x = –3 to x = 3 from x = 0 to x = 2.5 from x = 3 to x = 4.5