Differential may refer to:

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 equation, an equation relating derivatives of a function
  • Differential topology
  • 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
  • Limited-slip differential
  • 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

See also

  • Different (disambiguation)