differential calculus

noun

: a branch of mathematics concerned chiefly with the study of the rate of change of functions with respect to their variables especially through the use of derivatives and differentials

Examples of differential calculus in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Out of approximately 100 human computers working for the U.S. Army during World War II, six women were chosen to write a program for the computer to run differential calculus equations. —IEEE Spectrum, 21 Nov. 2022

The technology converts images of math problems from basic arithmetic to differential calculus into text and characters that computers can use to spit out answers. —Derek Newton, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2021

Two thousand years after Zeno, the founders of differential calculus solved the riddle of instantaneous speed. —Quanta Magazine, 3 Apr. 2019

His work -- which included the development of differential calculus and integral calculus -- helped lay the groundwork for the computer and smartphone technology used in today's society. —Mitchell Peters, Billboard, 1 July 2018

In 17 years of formal education, I had only ducked out of one class, that being differential calculus. —Kevin Fisher-Paulson, San Francisco Chronicle, 7 May 2018

The key is to personalize an individual’s education, even in preschool: If someone is a whiz at differential calculus but can’t discern between her pronouns and her prepositions, maybe moving her out of the 11th grade entirely isn’t the best move. —Chris Weller, Newsweek, 16 Jan. 2014

Math covers general mathematics, geometry and an introduction to differential calculus. —Karen Zurawski, Houston Chronicle, 15 Feb. 2018

To talk to Lysenko was like trying to explain differential calculus to a man who did not know his 12-times table. —Sam Kean, The Atlantic, 19 Dec. 2017

Word History

First Known Use

1702, in the meaning defined above