Answer :

To find the average value of a function over a closed interval, you integrate the function over that interval and then divide by the length of the interval. The formula for the average value of a function \( f(x) \) on the interval \( [a, b] \) is:

\[
\text{Average value} = \frac{1}{b - a} \int_{a}^{b} f(x)\, dx
\]

In this case, we want to find the average value of the function \( y = \frac{\cos x}{x^2 + x + 2} \) over the interval \( [-1, 3] \). The formula becomes:

\[
\text{Average value} = \frac{1}{3 - (-1)} \int_{-1}^{3} \frac{\cos x}{x^2 + x + 2}\, dx
\]

Now, you would typically integrate the function \( \frac{\cos x}{x^2 + x + 2} \) from \( -1 \) to \( 3 \), and then divide the result by \((3 - (-1))\), which equals \( 4 \). However, this integral does not have an elementary antiderivative; it can't be expressed in terms of elementary functions. Therefore, the integration will likely require numerical methods or approximation techniques that are not possible to carry out in this format.

To get an exact numerical average value, you would need to use a calculator or software capable of numerical integration. If you do so, you can find the approximate value for the integral and then divide by \( 4 \) to get the average. But please note, given the complexity of this integral, it is a problem that would commonly be solved using computational tools rather than by hand or with a simple formula.

If you need the numerical value for this average, this goes beyond the capabilities we're using here, so you might consider employing a tool like a graphing calculator or a computational software package which can perform numerical integration.

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