Differential calculus

Differential calculus
Calculus Cal"cu*lus, n.; pl. {Calculi}. [L, calculus. See {Calculate}, and {Calcule}.] 1. (Med.) Any solid concretion, formed in any part of the body, but most frequent in the organs that act as reservoirs, and in the passages connected with them; as, biliary calculi; urinary calculi, etc. [1913 Webster]

2. (Math.) A method of computation; any process of reasoning by the use of symbols; any branch of mathematics that may involve calculation. [1913 Webster]

{Barycentric calculus}, a method of treating geometry by defining a point as the center of gravity of certain other points to which co["e]fficients or weights are ascribed.

{Calculus of functions}, that branch of mathematics which treats of the forms of functions that shall satisfy given conditions.

{Calculus of operations}, that branch of mathematical logic that treats of all operations that satisfy given conditions.

{Calculus of probabilities}, the science that treats of the computation of the probabilities of events, or the application of numbers to chance.

{Calculus of variations}, a branch of mathematics in which the laws of dependence which bind the variable quantities together are themselves subject to change.

{Differential calculus}, a method of investigating mathematical questions by using the ratio of certain indefinitely small quantities called differentials. The problems are primarily of this form: to find how the change in some variable quantity alters at each instant the value of a quantity dependent upon it.

{Exponential calculus}, that part of algebra which treats of exponents.

{Imaginary calculus}, a method of investigating the relations of real or imaginary quantities by the use of the imaginary symbols and quantities of algebra.

{Integral calculus}, a method which in the reverse of the differential, the primary object of which is to learn from the known ratio of the indefinitely small changes of two or more magnitudes, the relation of the magnitudes themselves, or, in other words, from having the differential of an algebraic expression to find the expression itself. [1913 Webster]


The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.

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  • Differential calculus — differential dif fer*en tial, a. [Cf. F. diff[ e]rentiel.] 1. Relating to or indicating a difference; creating a difference; discriminating; special; as, differential characteristics; differential duties; a differential rate. [1913 Webster] For… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • differential calculus — ► NOUN Mathematics ▪ the part of calculus concerned with the derivatives of functions …   English terms dictionary

  • differential calculus — n. Math. the branch of mathematics dealing with derivatives and their applications: cf. INTEGRAL CALCULUS …   English World dictionary

  • differential calculus — n [U] a way of measuring the speed at which an object is moving at a particular moment …   Dictionary of contemporary English

  • Differential calculus — The graph of a function, drawn in black, and a tangent line to that function, drawn in red. The slope of the tangent line equals the derivative of the function at the marked point. Topics in Calculus …   Wikipedia

  • Differential (calculus) — In mathematics, and more specifically, in differential calculus, the term differential has several interrelated meanings.Basic notions* In traditional approaches to calculus, the differential (e.g. dx, dy, dt, etc...) of a function represents an… …   Wikipedia

  • differential calculus — noun 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 differential • Syn: ↑method of fluxions • Topics: ↑mathematics,… …   Useful english dictionary

  • Differential calculus over commutative algebras — In mathematics the differential calculus over commutative algebras is a part of commutative algebra based on the observation that most concepts known from classical differential calculus can be formulated in purely algebraic terms. Instances of… …   Wikipedia

  • differential calculus — noun The calculus that deals with instantaneous rates of change. See Also: differential, differential equation, differentiate …   Wiktionary

  • differential calculus — noun Mathematics the part of calculus concerned with the derivatives of functions …   English new terms dictionary

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