How to find the instantaneous rate of change at a point.

We use the following formula:

( + ) ()
=

The value of x should be taken from the point given, (x,y).

h will remain as a variable until the end, when we cancel the h from the denominator and substitute
zero for h.
Example
#9 from textbook
() = = 2 2 3 at the point (2, -3)
(2 + ) (2)
=

[(2 + )2 2(2 + ) 3] [(2)2 2(2) 3]

=

Use algebra to simplify.

(2 + )2 = 4 + 4 + 2
So,
[(4 + 4 + 2 ) 2(2 + ) 3] [3]
=

Then,
[4 + 4 + 2 4 2 3] [3]
=

[4 + 2 2]
=

Combine 4h 2h
2 + 2
=

(2 + )
=
= 2+

Since h goes to zero, the slope is 2.

Now to find the tangent line at the point (2, -3).
= +
The slope at the point was 2 , so
= 2 +
We use 2 for x and -3 for y, taken from the point (2, -3).
3 = 2(2) +
So b = 11, and the equation of the tangent line is
= 2 7