A derivative is defined as the limit of the average slope of a function over an interval as the interval approaches zero. The derivative of a function f(x) at a point a is the limit as h approaches 0 of the difference quotient (f(a+h)-f(a))/h. Taking the derivative of 4x^3 at x=3 using this definition yields 108, which matches taking the derivative of 4x^3 as a function of x and plugging in 3, giving 12x^2 and then 108 at x=3. While the definition can derive many derivatives, some functions require other techniques beyond the limit definition.