| the branch of mathematics that deals with differentials and derivatives. |
| 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 variations, integral calculus. |