Limit Definition of the Derivative (The Long Way)

You will learn that there are two ways to find derivatives, the first you will be presented with is the Limit Definition of the Derivative. This is the textbook definition of what a derivative means, and the long way of finding a derivative, $f\prime \left(x\right)$.

The reality though is that this is not going to be what you want to use. You will see in the next sections that there are actually much easier and quicker methods for finding derivatives, and you will always want to use those methods over this method.

However, since you are often asked in your actual class (not the AP Exam) to do this process on homework, quizzes, and tests, you will want to learn how it works and what all the pieces represent.