differential calculus

Dictionary: differential calculus

The mathematics of the variation of a function with respect to changes in independent variables.
The study of slopes of curves, accelerations, maxima, and minima by means of derivatives and differentials.

Search unanswered questions...

Browse: Unanswered questions | Most-recent questions | Reference library

5min Related Video: differential calculus

Top

Britannica Concise Encyclopedia: differential calculus

Top

Branch of mathematical analysis, devised by Isaac Newton and G.W. Leibniz, and concerned with the problem of finding the rate of change of a function with respect to the variable on which it depends. Thus it involves calculating derivatives and using them to solve problems involving nonconstant rates of change. Typical applications include finding maximum and minimum values of functions in order to solve practical problems in optimization.

For more information on differential calculus, visit Britannica.com.

WordNet: differential calculus

Top

Note: click on a word meaning below to see its connections and related words.

The noun has one meaning:

Meaning #1: the part of calculus that deals with the variation of a function with respect to changes in the independent variable (or variables) by means of the concepts of derivative and differential
Synonym: method of fluxions

Best of the Web: differential calculus

Top

Some good "differential calculus" pages on the web:

Math
mathworld.wolfram.com

Copyrights:

		Dictionary. The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition Copyright © 2007, 2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Updated in 2009. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved. Read more
		Britannica Concise Encyclopedia. Britannica Concise Encyclopedia. © 2006 Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc. All rights reserved. Read more
		WordNet. WordNet 1.7.1 Copyright © 2001 by Princeton University. All rights reserved. Read more

	differential geometry (mathematics)
	infinitesimal calculus
	analytic mechanics (mechanics)

	What are the uses of differential calculus in your life? Read answer...
	Which is harder calculus 1 or differential and integral calculus? Read answer...
	Importance of anti-differentiation in integral calculus? Read answer...

	What is contunity in differential calculus?
	Can you get applications of differential and integral calculus?
	What are the applications of differential calculus in engineering?