Differential (mathematics)

In mathematics, differential refers to several related notions^[1] derived from the early days of calculus, put on a rigorous footing, such as infinitesimal differences and the derivatives of functions.^[2]

The term is used in various branches of mathematics such as calculus, differential geometry, algebraic geometry and algebraic topology.

^ "Differential". Wolfram MathWorld. Retrieved February 24, 2022. The word differential has several related meaning in mathematics. In the most common context, it means "related to derivatives." So, for example, the portion of calculus dealing with taking derivatives (i.e., differentiation), is known as differential calculus.
The word "differential" also has a more technical meaning in the theory of differential k-forms as a so-called one-form.
^ "differential - Definition of differential in US English by Oxford Dictionaries". Oxford Dictionaries - English. Archived from the original on January 3, 2014. Retrieved 13 April 2018.

[1] "Differential". Wolfram MathWorld. Retrieved February 24, 2022. The word differential has several related meaning in mathematics. In the most common context, it means "related to derivatives." So, for example, the portion of calculus dealing with taking derivatives (i.e., differentiation), is known as differential calculus.
The word "differential" also has a more technical meaning in the theory of differential k-forms as a so-called one-form.

[2] "differential - Definition of differential in US English by Oxford Dictionaries". Oxford Dictionaries - English. Archived from the original on January 3, 2014. Retrieved 13 April 2018.

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