The derivative as a function

Replace a with x, you get

f (x + h) − f (x)
f 0 (x) = lim
h→0 h
or

f (x) − f (a)
f 0 (x) = lim
x→a x−a

Other Notations
f 0 (x)
y0

d stands for change, change in y over change in x

dy
dx

Make sure you put the power in the correct place

d dy d2 y
f 00 (x) = ( )= 2
dx dx dx

calling the functions:

f 0 (3)
d2 y
|x = 3
dx2