1. Relating to or showing a difference
   "differential treatment"
    
2. Of or relating to special treatment based on class or category
   "differential pricing for various customer segments"
    
3. (mathematics) involving or containing one or more derivatives
   "differential equation"

1. The result of mathematical differentiation; the instantaneous change of one quantity relative to another; df(x)/dx
   "The differential coefficient of x² is 2x";
   - derived function, derivative, differential coefficient, first derivative
    
2. A quality that differentiates between similar things
   "The price differential between the two products was significant"
    
3. A bevel gear that permits rotation of two shafts at different speeds; used on the rear axle of automobiles to allow wheels to rotate at different speeds on curves
   "The differential gear allows a car's outer wheel to turn faster than the inner wheel when cornering";
   - differential gear

Derived forms: differentials

Type of: bevel gear, calculation, computation, difference, figuring, pinion and crown wheel, pinion and ring gear, reckoning

Encyclopedia: Differential