| differential calculus n. 1. The mathematics of the variation of a function with respect to changes in independent variables. 2. The study of slopes of curves, accelerations, maxima, and minima by means of derivatives and differentials. |
differential calculus
n
(Mathematics) the branch of calculus concerned with the study, evaluation, and use of derivatives and differentials Compare integral calculus
| differential calculus The mathematics of the variation of a function with respect to changes in independent variables, especially the use of differentiation to calculate rates of change of a function and the maximum and minimum values of a function. Differential calculus has applications such as calculating compound interest, organic growth, and slopes of curves, and studying the acceleration of moving bodies. Compare calculus of variationsintegral calculus |
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| Noun | 1. |  differential calculus - 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 differentialmath, mathematics, maths - a science (or group of related sciences) dealing with the logic of quantity and shape and arrangement infinitesimal calculus, calculus - the branch of mathematics that is concerned with limits and with the differentiation and integration of functions |
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