Differential

[Sarah]

Noun
1704
1 a : the product of the derivative of a function of one variable by the increment of the independent variable b : a sum of products in which each product consists of a partial derivative of a given function of several variables multiplied by the corresponding increment and which contains as many products as there are independent variables in the function
2 : a difference between comparable individuals or classes <a price differential>; also : the amount of such a difference