Differential
Differential may refer to:
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Mathematics
- Differential (mathematics) comprises multiple related meanings of the word, both in calculus and differential geometry, such as an infinitesimal change in the value of a function
- Differential algebra
- Differential calculus
- Differential of a function, represents a change in the linearization of a function
- Total differential is its generalization for functions of multiple variables
- Differential (infinitesimal) (e.g. dx, dy, dt etc.) are interpreted as infinitesimals
- Differential topology
- Differential of a function, represents a change in the linearization of a function
- Differential (pushforward) The total derivative of a map between manifolds.
- Differential exponent, an exponent in the factorisation of the different ideal
- Differential geometry, exterior differential, or exterior derivative, is a generalization to differential forms of the notion of differential of a function on a differentiable manifold
- Differential (coboundary), in homological algebra and algebraic topology, one of the maps of a cochain complex
- Differential cryptanalysis, a pair consisting of the difference, usually computed by XOR, between two plaintexts, and the difference of the corresponding ciphertexts
Science and technology
- Differential (mechanical device), as part of a motor vehicle drivetrain, the device that allows driving wheels or axles on opposite sides to rotate at different speeds
- Differential steering, the steering method used by tanks and similar tracked vehicles
- Electronic differential, an electric motor controller which substitutes its mechanical counterpart with significant advantages in electric vehicle application
- Differential signaling, in electronics, applies to a method of transmitting electronic signals over a pair of wires to reduce interference
- Differential amplifier, an electronic amplifier that amplifies signals.
Social sciences
- Semantic and structural differentials in psychology
- Quality spread differential, in finance
- Compensating differential, in labor economics
Medicine
- Differential diagnosis, the characterization of the underlying cause of pathological states based on specific tests
- White blood cell differential, the enumeration of each type of white blood cell either manually or using automated analyzers
Other
- Differential hardening, in metallurgy
- Differential rotation, in astronomy
- Differential centrifugation, in cell biology
- Differential scanning calorimetry, in materials science
- Differential signalling, in communications
- Differential GPS, in satellite navigation technology
- Differential interferometry in radar
- Differential, an extended play by The Sixth Lie
- Handicap differential, part of the calculation used in producing golf handicaps