Because of Their Connection with Secant Lines, Tangents, and Instantaneous $\lim _ { h \rightarrow 0 } \frac { f ( x + h ) - f ( x ) } { h }$

Multiple Choice

Because of their connection with secant lines, tangents, and instantaneous rates, limits of the form $\lim _ { h \rightarrow 0 } \frac { f ( x + h ) - f ( x ) } { h }$ occur frequently in calculus. Evaluate this limit for the given value of $x$ and function $f$ .
- $( x ) = - 4 x + 7 , x = 6$

A) $- 4$
B) $- 24$
C) $- 17$
D) Does not exist