Differential (mathematics)

In mathematics, the term "differential" can refer to a few different concepts, primarily related to calculus. Here are the main meanings: 1. **Differential in Calculus**: The differential of a function is a generalization of the concept of the derivative. If \( f(x) \) is a function, the differential \( df \) expresses how the function \( f \) changes as the input \( x \) changes.