noun
differential
An infinitesimal change in a mathematical variable.
In calculus, the differential dx represents an infinitesimal change in x.
Etymology
Latin dis- and ferre express carrying apart, behind the idea of difference. In calculus, a differential represents an infinitesimal change, connecting this technical use with differences between values.
More examples
- For y = x², the differential dy equals 2x dx.
- The symbols dx and dy denote differentials of the two variables.
- We use differentials to approximate small changes in a function's value.
Forms
differential · differentials
differentiate verb — Find the derivative of a mathematical function.
Similar words
- increment
- An increment may be finite rather than infinitesimally small.
- infinitesimal
- An infinitesimal is a quantity, not necessarily a change.