Understanding the Alternate Definition of Derivative | Calculating Rate of Change using Difference Quotients

Alternate definition of derivative

The alternate definition of the derivative is based on the concept of difference quotients

The alternate definition of the derivative is based on the concept of difference quotients. It is another way of expressing the rate of change of a function at a given point.

Let’s consider a function f(x) and a point ‘a’ in its domain. The alternate definition of derivative states that if the limit of the difference quotient as h approaches 0 exists, then the derivative of f(x) at x = a is equal to that limit.

Mathematically, it can be expressed as:

f'(a) = lim(h->0) [f(a+h) – f(a)] / h

Here, f'(a) represents the derivative of f at x = a.

This definition is also known as the difference quotient definition, as it calculates the average rate of change of a function over a small interval around the point a, and then takes the limit as the interval becomes infinitesimally small.

The alternate definition of the derivative gives us another method to compute derivatives, especially when the function is not given in a predefined formula. By finding the limit of the difference quotient, we can determine the instantaneous rate of change, or the slope of the tangent line at a specific point on a curve.

More Answers: