Slope as Ratio

While were still thinking geometrically, we can now use symbols and formulas
in our computation.

Q
(x0+x, f(x0+x))

Secant Line
f

(x0, f(x0))
P
x

Figure 1: Geometric denition of the derivative

We start with a point P = (x0 , f (x0 )). We move over a tiny horizontal
distance x (pronounced delta x and also called the change in x) and nd
point Q = (x0 + x, f (x0 + x)). These two points lie on a secant line of the
graph of f (x); we will compute the slope of this line. The vertical dierence
between P and Q is f = f (x0 + x) f (x0 ).
The slope of the secant P Q is rise divided by run, or the ratio f x . Weve
said that the tangent line is the limit of the secant lines. It is also true that the
slope of the tangent line is the limit of the slopes of the secant lines. In other
words,
f f
m = lim = lim .
Q>P x x0 x

1
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18.01SC Single Variable Calculus

Fall 2010

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