Differential

Differential may refer to:

Mathematics

 * Differential (mathematics) comprises multiple related meanings of the word, both in calculus and differential geometry, such as an infinitesimal change in the value of a function
 * Differential algebra
 * Differential calculus
 * Differential of a function, represents a change in the linearization of a function
 * Total differential is its generalization for functions of multiple variables
 * Differential (infinitesimal) (e.g. dx, dy, dt etc.) are interpreted as infinitesimals
 * Differential topology
 * Differential (pushforward) The total derivative of a map between manifolds.
 * Differential exponent, an exponent in the factorisation of the different ideal
 * Differential geometry, exterior differential, or exterior derivative, is a generalization to differential forms of the notion of differential of a function on a differentiable manifold
 * Differential (coboundary), in homological algebra and algebraic topology, one of the maps of a cochain complex
 * Differential cryptanalysis, a pair consisting of the difference, usually computed by XOR, between two plaintexts, and the difference of the corresponding ciphertexts

Science and technology

 * Differential (mechanical device), as part of a motor vehicle drivetrain, the device that allows driving wheels or axles on opposite sides to rotate at different speeds
 * Limited-slip differential
 * Differential steering, the steering method used by tanks and similar tracked vehicles
 * Electronic differential, an electric motor controller which substitutes its mechanical counterpart with significant advantages in electric vehicle application
 * Differential signaling, in electronics, applies to a method of transmitting electronic signals over a pair of wires to reduce interference
 * Differential amplifier an electronic amplifier that amplifies signals.

Social sciences

 * Semantic and structural differentials in psychology
 * Quality spread differential, in finance
 * Compensating differential, in labor economics

Medicine

 * Differential diagnosis, the characterization of the underlying cause of pathological states based on specific tests
 * White blood cell differential, the enumeration of each type of white blood cell either manually or using automated analyzers

Other

 * Differential hardening, in metallurgy
 * Differential rotation, in astronomy
 * Differential centrifugation, in cell biology
 * Differential scanning calorimetry, in materials science
 * Differential signalling, in communications
 * Differential GPS, in satellite navigation technology
 * Differential interferometry in radar
 * Differential, an extended play by The Sixth Lie
 * Handicap differential, part of the calculation used in producing golf handicaps