THE DELTA METHOD

The derivative of a function at a point tells you the:

• Rate of change of the function

• Slope of the tangent line to the curve at that point
• Instantaneous velocity (if the function represents position)

AVERAGE RATE TO INSTANTANEOUS RATE

We begin with the average rate of change of a function:
𝑓(𝑥 + ∆𝑥) − 𝑓(𝑥)
𝑅𝑎𝑡𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝑐ℎ𝑎𝑛𝑔𝑒𝑎𝑣𝑒𝑟𝑎𝑔𝑒 =
∆𝑥
This measures the slope of the secant line between two points on the graph of 𝑓.

TAKING THE LIMIT: THE DERIVATIVE

To find the instantaneous rate of change, we let the change in 𝑥, written ∆𝑥, get infinitely small:
𝑓(𝑥 + ∆𝑥) − 𝑓(𝑥)
𝑓′(𝑥) = lim
∆𝑥→0 ∆𝑥
This is called the difference quotient and is the formal definition of the derivative.

WHY USE THE DELTA METHOD?

Using Delta Method provides the following:

• A precise mathematical definition of a derivative.

• The foundation for all differentiation rules.
• Insight into the concept of limits, essential in calculus.

PROCEDURE OF DELTA METHOD

1. Given the function, add (𝑦 + ∆𝑦) to every 𝑦 variable and (𝑥 + ∆𝑥) to every 𝑥 variable.
2. Isolate ∆𝑦 by transposing all other terms from the left side of the equation.
3. Note that 𝑦 = 𝑓(𝑥). Substitute 𝑓(𝑥). to the transposed 𝑦. Simplify the resulting equation through
algebra. [TIP: All terms from the original equation cancel out with resulting terms.]
 4. Having a simplified resulting equation, divide the function by ∆𝑥. Cancel out ∆𝑥 found in the
numerator to further simplify the function.
5. Determine the limit as ∆𝑥 approaches zero ( lim ).
∆𝑥→0

Example 1: Using Delta Method, find the derivative of the function 𝑦 = 3𝑥 2 + 2𝑥 − 1.

Step 01: Insert the deltas in the function.

𝑦 + ∆𝑦 = 3(𝑥 + ∆𝑥)2 + 2(𝑥 + ∆𝑥) − 1

Step 02: Isolate ∆𝑦. Reduce the number of unknown variables by substituting the expression for y.

∆𝑦 = 3(𝑥 + ∆𝑥)2 + 2(𝑥 + ∆𝑥) − 1 − 𝑦

𝑏𝑢𝑡 𝑦 = 3𝑥 2 + 2𝑥 − 1

∆𝑦 = 3(𝑥 + ∆𝑥)2 + 2(𝑥 + ∆𝑥) − 1 − (3𝑥 2 + 2𝑥 − 1)

Expand terms to take out the groupings then simplify the expression.

∆𝑦 = 3(𝑥 2 + 2𝑥∆𝑥 + ∆𝑥 2 ) + 2𝑥 + 2∆𝑥 − 1 − 3𝑥 2 − 2𝑥 + 1

∆𝑦 = 3𝑥 2 + 6𝑥∆𝑥 + 3∆𝑥 2 + 2𝑥 + 2∆𝑥 − 1 − 3𝑥 2 − 2𝑥 + 1

∆𝑦 = 6𝑥∆𝑥 + 3∆𝑥 2 + 2∆𝑥

Step 03: Divide the equation by ∆𝑥.

∆𝑦 6𝑥∆𝑥 + 3∆𝑥 2 + 2∆𝑥

=
∆𝑥 ∆𝑥
∆𝑦
= 6𝑥 + 3∆𝑥 + 2
∆𝑥
Step 4: Take the limit of the function as ∆𝑥 approaches zero.
𝑑𝑦
= lim (6𝑥 + 3∆𝑥 + 2)
𝑑𝑥 ∆𝑥→0
0
𝑑𝑦
= 6𝑥 + 3∆𝑥 + 2
𝑑𝑥
𝑑𝑦
= 𝑓 ′ (𝑥) = 𝑦 ′ = 6𝑥 + 2
𝑑𝑥

Example 2: Using Delta Method, find the derivative of the function 𝑦 = (𝑥 + 3)2 .

Step 01: Insert the deltas in the function.

𝑦 + ∆𝑦 = [(𝑥 + ∆𝑥) + 3]2

Step 02: Isolate ∆𝑦. Reduce the number of unknown variables by substituting the expression for y.

∆𝑦 = [(𝑥 + ∆𝑥) + 3]2 − 𝑦

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 𝑏𝑢𝑡 𝑦 = (𝑥 + 3)2

∆𝑦 = [(𝑥 + ∆𝑥) + 3]2 − (𝑥 + 3)2

Expand terms to take out the groupings then simplify the expression.

∆𝑦 = (𝑥 + ∆𝑥)2 + 2(𝑥 + ∆𝑥)(3) + 32 − (𝑥 2 + 2𝑥(3) + 9)

∆𝑦 = (𝑥 2 + 2𝑥∆𝑥 + ∆𝑥 2 ) + 6𝑥 + 6∆𝑥 + 9 − 𝑥 2 − 6𝑥 − 9

∆𝑦 = 2𝑥∆𝑥 + ∆𝑥 2 + 6∆𝑥
Step 03: Divide the equation by ∆𝑥.

∆𝑦 2𝑥∆𝑥 + ∆𝑥 2 + 6∆𝑥
=
∆𝑥 ∆𝑥
∆𝑦
= 2𝑥 + ∆𝑥 + 6
∆𝑥
Step 4: Take the limit of the function as ∆𝑥 approaches zero.
0
𝑑𝑦
= lim (2𝑥 + ∆𝑥 + 6)
𝑑𝑥 ∆𝑥→0
𝑑𝑦
= 𝑓 ′ (𝑥) = 𝑦 ′ = 2𝑥 + 6
𝑑𝑥
𝑑𝑦
= 𝑓 ′ (𝑥) = 𝑦 ′ = 2(𝑥 + 3)
𝑑𝑥

Example 3: Using Delta Method, find the derivative of the function 𝑦 = 𝑥(3𝑥 + 4).

Step 01: Insert the deltas in the function.

𝑦 + ∆𝑦 = (𝑥 + ∆𝑥)[3(𝑥 + ∆𝑥) + 4]
Step 02: Isolate ∆𝑦. Reduce the number of unknown variables by substituting the expression for y.

∆𝑦 = (𝑥 + ∆𝑥)(3𝑥 + 3∆𝑥 + 4) − 𝑦
𝑏𝑢𝑡 𝑦 = 𝑥(3𝑥 + 4)
∆𝑦 = (𝑥 + ∆𝑥)(3𝑥 + 3∆𝑥 + 4) − 𝑥(3𝑥 + 4)
Expand terms to take out the groupings then simplify the expression.

∆𝑦 = 3𝑥 2 + 3𝑥∆𝑥 + 4𝑥 + 3𝑥∆𝑥 + 3∆𝑥 2 + 4∆𝑥 − 3𝑥 2 − 4𝑥

∆𝑦 = 6𝑥∆𝑥 + 3∆𝑥 2 + 4∆𝑥

Step 03: Divide the equation by ∆𝑥.

∆𝑦 6𝑥∆𝑥 + 3∆𝑥 2 + 4∆𝑥

=
∆𝑥 ∆𝑥

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 ∆𝑦
= 6𝑥 + 3∆𝑥 + 4
∆𝑥
Step 4: Take the limit of the function as ∆𝑥 approaches zero
0
𝑑𝑦
= lim (6𝑥 + 3∆𝑥 + 4)
𝑑𝑥 ∆𝑥→0
𝑑𝑦
= 𝑓 ′ (𝑥) = 𝑦 ′ = 6𝑥 + 4
𝑑𝑥

Another approach for the example is to simplify the original function to make it a polynomial equation
before starting with the delta method. This approach makes the procedure simpler as it avoids repeated
multiplication.

Step 1: Simplify the function through distribution.

𝑦 = 𝑥(3𝑥 + 4)

𝑦 = 3𝑥 2 + 4𝑥
Step 2: Insert the deltas in the function.

𝑦 + ∆𝑦 = 3(𝑥 + ∆𝑥)2 + 4(𝑥 + ∆𝑥)

Step 03: Isolate ∆𝑦. Reduce the number of unknown variables by substituting the expression for y.

∆𝑦 = 3(𝑥 2 + 2𝑥∆𝑥 + ∆𝑥 2 ) + 4𝑥 + 4∆𝑥 − 𝑦

𝑏𝑢𝑡 𝑦 = 3𝑥 2 + 4𝑥
∆𝑦 = 3𝑥 2 + 6𝑥∆𝑥 + 3∆𝑥 2 + 4𝑥 + 4∆𝑥 − (3𝑥 2 + 4𝑥)

∆𝑦 = 3𝑥 2 + 6𝑥∆𝑥 + 3∆𝑥 2 + 4𝑥 + 4∆𝑥 − 3𝑥 2 − 4𝑥

∆𝑦 = 6𝑥∆𝑥 + 3∆𝑥 2 + 4∆𝑥

Step 04: Divide the equation by ∆𝑥.

∆𝑦 6𝑥∆𝑥 + 3∆𝑥 2 + 4∆𝑥

=
∆𝑥 ∆𝑥
∆𝑦
= 6𝑥 + 3∆𝑥 + 4
∆𝑥
Step 5: Take the limit of the function as ∆𝑥 approaches zero.
0
𝑑𝑦
= lim (6𝑥 + 3∆𝑥 + 4)
𝑑𝑥 ∆𝑥→0
𝑑𝑦
= 𝑓 ′ (𝑥) = 𝑦 ′ = 6𝑥 + 4
𝑑𝑥

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 1
Example 3: Using Delta Method, find the derivative of the function 𝑦 = 𝑥+1.

Step 01: Insert the deltas in the function.

1
𝑦 + ∆𝑦 =
𝑥 + ∆𝑥 + 1
Step 02: Isolate ∆𝑦. Reduce the number of unknown variables by substituting the expression for y.
1
∆𝑦 = −𝑦
𝑥 + ∆𝑥 + 1
1
𝑏𝑢𝑡 𝑦 =
𝑥+1
1 1
∆𝑦 = −
𝑥 + ∆𝑥 + 1 𝑥 + 1
Take a common denominator and simplify the numerator.
(𝑥 + 1) − (𝑥 + ∆𝑥 + 1)
∆𝑦 =
(𝑥 + 1)(𝑥 + ∆𝑥 + 1)
𝑥 + 1 − 𝑥 − ∆𝑥 − 1
∆𝑦 =
(𝑥 + 1)(𝑥 + ∆𝑥 + 1)
−∆𝑥
∆𝑦 =
(𝑥 + 1)(𝑥 + ∆𝑥 + 1)
Step 03: Divide the equation by ∆𝑥.
∆𝑦 −∆𝑥
=
∆𝑥 ∆𝑥(𝑥 + 1)(𝑥 + ∆𝑥 + 1)
∆𝑦 −1
=
∆𝑥 (𝑥 + 1)(𝑥 + ∆𝑥 + 1)
Step 4: Take the limit of the function as ∆𝑥 approaches zero.
𝑑𝑦 −1
= lim ( )
𝑑𝑥 ∆𝑥→0 (𝑥 + 1)(𝑥 + ∆𝑥 + 1)
0

𝑑𝑦 −1
= 𝑓 ′ (𝑥) = 𝑦 ′ =
𝑑𝑥 (𝑥 + 1)2

Exactly the same steps are placed in the examples intentionally. This is to show you that no matter what
type or configuration of function there is, the algorithm stays the same so the derivative can be solved.

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EXERCISES: DELTA METHOD
Determine the derivative using the Delta Method.

1. 𝑦 = 3𝑥 4 − 5𝑥 2 + 7 11. 𝑦 = 4𝑥 2 − 𝑥 + 1 21. 𝑦 =
2𝑥+1
𝑥−3
2. 𝑦 = 𝑥 2 12. 𝑦 = 𝑥 2 + 3𝑥 22. 𝑦 = √𝑥 2 + 1
𝑥
3. 𝑦 = 3𝑥 + 2 13. 𝑦 = 5𝑥 3 + 2𝑥 23. 𝑦 = 𝑥 2 +1
4. 𝑦 = 3𝑥 4 − 5𝑥 2 + 7 14. 𝑦 = 2𝑥 +
3
24. 𝑦 =
1
𝑥 √𝑥
5. 𝑦 = 𝑥 3 15. 𝑦 = √9 − 𝑥 𝑥 2 +2𝑥+1
25. 𝑦 = 𝑥+1
1 𝑥 2 −4 √𝑥+1−√𝑥
6. 𝑦 = 16. 𝑦 = 26. 𝑦 =
𝑥 𝑥+2 𝑥
1 𝑥 2 −4
7. 𝑦 = √𝑥 17. 𝑦 = 27. 𝑦 = 𝑥 2 +4
√𝑥
𝑥+1 2𝑥+1 3
8. 𝑦 = 18. 𝑦 = 28. 𝑦 = √𝑥 2 + 5
𝑥 𝑥+3
1
9. 𝑦 = 19. 𝑦 = √𝑥 + 2 29. 𝑦 = √𝑥 + √𝑥
𝑥+2
𝑥 2 +1 1 1
10. 𝑦 = 20. 𝑦 = 5𝑥 2
30. 𝑦 = 𝑥 2 −2𝑥+2
𝑥 2 −1

DERIVATIVE: INTERPRETED AS SLOPE

Derivative can also be considered as the slope. To show the correlation of slope and derivative, we use the
slope-intercept form of a line.

𝑦 = 𝑚𝑥 + 𝑏
Step 01: Insert the deltas in the function.

𝑦 + ∆𝑦 = 𝑚(𝑥 + ∆𝑥) + 𝑏
Step 02: Isolate ∆𝑦. Reduce the number of unknown variables by substituting the expression for y.

∆𝑦 = 𝑚𝑥 + 𝑚∆𝑥 + 𝑏 − 𝑦
𝑏𝑢𝑡 𝑦 = 𝑚𝑥 + 𝑏
∆𝑦 = 𝑚𝑥 + 𝑚∆𝑥 + 𝑏 − (𝑚𝑥 + 𝑏)
∆𝑦 = 𝑚𝑥 + 𝑚∆𝑥 + 𝑏 − 𝑚𝑥 − 𝑏
∆𝑦 = 𝑚∆𝑥
∆𝑦
𝑚 = 𝑠𝑙𝑜𝑝𝑒 =
∆𝑥

Example 1: Given the function 𝑦 = 𝑥 2 , find the slope at x = 3.

Using the algorithm, find the derivative of the function in order to identify the slope.

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 𝑦 + ∆𝑦 = (𝑥 + ∆𝑥)2

Isolate ∆𝑦 and expand the square to take out the grouping.

∆𝑦 = 𝑥 2 + 2𝑥∆𝑥 + ∆𝑥 2 − 𝑦

Reduce the number of variables by eliminating y (using the original function).

∆𝑦 = 𝑥 2 + 2𝑥∆𝑥 + ∆𝑥 2 − 𝑥 2

Simplify the function.

∆𝑦 = 2𝑥∆𝑥 + ∆𝑥 2

Divide the function by ∆𝑥.

∆𝑦 2𝑥∆𝑥 + ∆𝑥 2
=
∆𝑥 ∆𝑥

Simplify the function.

∆𝑦
= 2𝑥 + ∆𝑥
∆𝑥

Take the limit of the function using ∆𝑥 approaching zero.

𝑑𝑦
= lim (2𝑥 + ∆𝑥)
𝑑𝑥 ∆𝑥→0
𝑑𝑦
= 𝑠𝑙𝑜𝑝𝑒 = 2𝑥
𝑑𝑥

At x = 3.
𝑠𝑙𝑜𝑝𝑒 = 2(3) = 6

EXERCISES: DERIVATIVE AS SLOPE

Find the slope of the curve at the given point.
1
1. 𝑦 = 𝑎𝑡 𝑥 = 2 7. 𝑦 = √𝑥 2 + 9 𝑎𝑡 (4, √25) 13. 𝑦 = √𝑥 + 𝑥 𝑎𝑡 (4, 6)
𝑥
𝑥 2 −1 3𝑥+1
2. 𝑦 = √𝑥 𝑎𝑡 𝑥 = 4 8. 𝑦 = 𝑥−1 𝑎𝑡 (2, 3) 14. 𝑦 = 𝑎𝑡 (1, 4)
𝑥2
3. 𝑦 = 𝑥 2 + 2𝑥 𝑎𝑡 (1, 3) 9. 𝑦 = 𝑥 3 − 3𝑥 2 + 2𝑥 𝑎𝑡 (1, 0) 3
15. 𝑦 = √𝑥 𝑎𝑡 (8, 2)
4. 𝑦 = √𝑥 + 4 𝑎𝑡 (5, 3) 1 2 𝑥 3
16. 𝑦 = 𝑥+1 𝑎𝑡 (3, 2)
10. 𝑦 = (𝑥 + 𝑥) 𝑎𝑡 (1, 4) √
𝑥 2 +1 𝑥 2 −4𝑥+3 1 2
5. 𝑦 = 𝑥
𝑎𝑡 (1, 2) 11. 𝑦 = 𝑥−1
𝑎𝑡 (2, 1) 17. 𝑦 = ( + 𝑥 2 ) 𝑎𝑡 (1, 4)
𝑥
𝑥 2𝑥 2 +3𝑥−5
6. 𝑦 = 𝑥 2 +1
𝑎𝑡 (0, 1) 12. 𝑦 = √2𝑥 + 3 𝑎𝑡 (1, √5) 18. 𝑦 = 𝑎𝑡 (1, 0)
𝑥+1

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RATE OF CHANGE

In simple terms, rate of change tells us how one quantity changes with respect to another.

• In calculus, this usually means:

How does a function 𝑓(𝑥) change as the input 𝑥 changes?

The instantaneous rate of change of a function at a point is what we define as the derivative.

TYPES OF RATE OF CHANGE

1. Average Rate of Change (over an interval)
∆𝑦 𝑓(𝑥2 ) − 𝑓(𝑥1 )
=
∆𝑥 𝑥2 − 𝑥1
This is just the slope of the secant line between two points.

2. Instantaneous Rate of Change (at a point)

𝑓(𝑥 + ℎ) − 𝑓(𝑥)
𝑓′(𝑥) = lim
∆𝑥→0 ∆𝑥
This is the slope of the tangent line to the curve at a single point. It's what the derivative gives
you.

CONCEPT MEANING
Rate of change How fast one variable changes with respect to another.
Average rate Change over an interval (secant slope)
Instantaneous rate Change at a point (tangent slope = derivative)

EXERCISES: RATE OF CHANGE

1. A ball is dropped and its height (in meters) after 𝑡 seconds is given by
𝑓(𝑡) = 5𝑡 2
Find the instantaneous rate of change of the height at 𝑡 = 2 seconds using the long method.

2. A car’s position in meters at time 𝑡 seconds is:

𝑓(𝑡) = 3𝑡 2 + 2𝑡
Find the velocity (rate of change of position) at 𝑡 = 1.

3. A company’s profit in dollars based on items sold 𝑥 is:

1000
𝑃=
𝑥+2
Find the marginal profit (rate of change of profit) when 𝑥 = 3.

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 4. The radius of a growing circular pool over time 𝑡 (in minutes) is:
𝑟 = √𝑡 + 4
Find the rate of change of the radius at 𝑡 = 5.

5. The temperature of an object at time 𝑡 (in hours) is:

1
𝑇=
𝑡+1
Find how fast the temperature is changing at 𝑡 = 2.

6. Find the instantaneous rate of change using the limit definition of the function:
𝑦 = 𝑥 2 + 2𝑥 𝑎𝑡 𝑥 = 1
1
7. Find the rate of change using the long method for the function 𝑦 = 𝑎𝑡 𝑥 = 2.
𝑥
8. Use rationalization and the limit definition to find 𝑓′(3)
𝑓(𝑥) = √𝑥 + 1 𝑎𝑡 𝑥 = 3

9. Find the rate of change at 𝑥 = 2 using the long method

𝑥2 − 1
𝑓(𝑥) =
𝑥−1

10. Apply the limit definition to find the instantaneous rate of change
3𝑥 + 1
𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑎𝑡 𝑥 = 1
𝑥2

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VIDEO REFERENCES

The Delta Method: Example 1 The Delta Method: Example 2

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