Difference Quotient

Definition

The difference quotient measures the average rate at which a quantity changes over an interval by taking the difference between two points on a graph and dividing it by their corresponding x-values.

Related terms

Limit Definition of Derivative: A formula that uses difference quotients to find derivatives.

Tangent Line Approximation:

An estimation technique that uses difference quotients to approximate the slope of a curve at a specific point.

Instantaneous Rate of Change:

The rate at which a quantity is changing at a specific moment in time.