difference quotient

English

Noun

difference quotient (plural difference quotients)

1. (mathematical analysis) The slope of a secant as obtained by dividing the vertical difference between two intersections of the secant and a curve with their horizontal distance. When the horizontal distance approaches zero the slope of the secant approaches the derivative of the curve.

Translations

slope of the secant

• Danish: differenskvotient c
• Dutch: differentiaalquotiënt (nl) n
• Finnish: erotusosamäärä (fi)
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• French: please add this translation if you can
• German: please add this translation if you can
• Portuguese: please add this translation if you can

See also

• derivative
• difference equation