differential
7
9.3
- noun
- /ˌdɪfəˈrɛnʃəl/
- Specialized
:
diferencial
- In calculus, the differential represents how much a function's output changes as the input changes.
- total differential
- partial differential
The DX differential just tells us that X is our variable of integration that we're integrating with respect to X and not some other variable.
- The DX differential just tells us that X is our variable of integration that we're integrating with respect to X and not some other variable.
Examples
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The engineer calculated the differential of the two functions to determine the slope at that point.
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The temperature differentials must be off the scale.
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Let me know when we have a temperature differential of ten degrees.
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However, as Table 2 shows, we do not find a significant differential effect in this regard.
Academic text (2013) -
What really sets the equilibrium temperature is the density and pressure differential between water and space.
Blog text (30) -
We have a differential of 1.35.
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We discuss the issue of cost differentials in the next section.
Academic text (1992) -
I don't think the temperature differential is enough to affect the structure that way.
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Well, the temperature differential shot from 65 to 129 in a couple of hours.
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The temperature differential starts at an elevated level and typically declines over time.
Academic text (1991)
Synonyms
9
5.2
A slow change in amount across a distance or area
6
9.6
The rate a function changes at a point
1
7.9
How fast one value changes compared with another at a particular point
The rate at which a curve goes up or down at one point
Antonyms
Compounds
- Specialized
4
7.4
An equation that shows how a number or amount changes using its rate of change
- Specialized
3
6.1
A way for a doctor to tell one disease from another when symptoms are similar
- Specialized
1
8.0
The part of mathematics that studies how things change and how fast, like speed or temperature change
- Specialized
1
9.6
An equation that shows how a value changes when two or more things change
- Specialized
The change in total cost when you produce one more or one less item
- Specialized
A set of gears that lets two wheels turn at different speeds when a car turns
- Specialized
The smallest change in how strong a sound, touch, or light feels that a person can notice
- Specialized
The smallest change in what you see, hear, or taste that a person can notice
- Archaic
A machine with moving parts that solves equations about how things change
- Specialized
A test that counts each type of white blood cell in a small blood sample
Surface Forms
Morphology
Etymology
Differential (noun) comes from the same root as different and difference, meaning 'not the same' or 'a change'. In calculus a differential is a very small change in a variable (like dy or dx), so the name literally means 'a small difference'.