Differential 677159 213338388 2008-05-18T22:06:12Z Silly rabbit 555135 +exterior derivative. /* Mathematics */ '''Differential''' may refer to: ==Medicine== * [[Differential diagnosis]] refers to the characterization of the underlying cause of pathological states based on specific tests. * Differential [[WBC]] count is the enumeration of each type of [[white blood cells]] either manually or using [[automated analyzer|automated analyzers]]. ==Mathematics== * [[Differential (calculus)]], multiple related meanings in calculus and differential geometry, such as an infinitesimal change in the value of a function :* In traditional approaches to calculus, the [[differential (infinitesimal)|differential]] of a function represents an [[infinitesimal]] change in its value and employs the dx, dy, dt, symbols. :* In [[differential geometry]], differentials represent the [[exterior derivative]]s of the [[coordinate system|coordinate functions]] on a [[differentiable manifold]]. * [[Cochain complex|Differential (coboundary)]], in homological algebra and algebraic topology, one of the maps of a cochain complex * [[Differential cryptanalysis|Differential (cryptography)]], in differential cryptanalysis, a pair consisting of the difference, usually computed by [[exclusive or|XOR (exclusive or)]], between two plaintexts, and the difference of the corresponding ciphertexts :''See also [[derivative]], [[differential calculus]]. ==Natural sciences and engineering== * [[Differential (mechanical device)]]. As part of a [[powertrain]], the device that allows each of the driving wheels to rotate at different speeds. * [[Electronic Differential]], an electric motor controller which substitutes its mechanical counterpart with significant advantages in electric vehicle application. * In [[electronics]], [[differential signaling]] applies to a method of transmitting electronic signals over a pair of wires to improve noise immunity. ==Social sciences== * [[Semantic differential|Semantic]] and [[structural differential]]s in psychology * A [[quality spread differential]] in finance * [[Compensating differential]] in labor economics ==Other uses== The word ''differential'' is also used in many fields as an adjective to refer to differences, particularly those of a [[variable]] or [[continuous function|continuous]] nature. Examples include [[differential hardening]] in metallurgy, [[differential rotation]] in astronomy, [[differential centrifugation]] in cell biology, [[differential scanning calorimetry]] in materials science, [[differential signalling]] in communications, [[differential algebra]] in mathematics, [[differential execution]] in computer science, and [[differential GPS]] technology. {{disambig}} [[bs:Diferencijal (čvor)]] [[bg:Диференциал (пояснение)]] [[cs:Diferenciál]] [[de:Differential]] [[nl:Differentieel]] [[ru:Дифференциал]] [[sk:Diferenciál]] [[tr:Diferansiyel (anlam ayrım)]]