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difference quotient

The expression \frac{f(x+h)-f(x)}{h} — the slope between two nearby points on a curve.

The difference quotient \dfrac{f(x+h)-f(x)}{h} measures the slope of the secant line through (x, f(x)) and (x+h, f(x+h)) on a function's graph. It is the exact expression calculus later takes a limit of to define the derivative.

See also

complex fraction average rate of change
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