In mathematics and economics, a differential is a difference between two values in a scale.
The two countries pledged to maintain the differential between their currencies.
2. countable noun
A differential is a difference between things, especially rates of pay.
[mainly British]
During the Second World War, industrial wage differentials in Britain widened.
3. adjective [ADJECTIVE noun]
Differential means relating to or using a difference between groups or things.
[formal]
...differential voting rights.
Synonyms: distinctive, different, contrasting, distinguishing More Synonyms of differential
More Synonyms of differential
differential in British English
(ˌdɪfəˈrɛnʃəl)
adjective
1.
of, relating to, or using a difference
2.
constituting a difference; distinguishing
3. mathematics
of, containing, or involving one or more derivatives or differentials
4. physics, engineering
relating to, operating on, or based on the difference between two effects, motions, forces, etc
differential amplifier
noun
5.
a factor that differentiates between two comparable things
6. mathematics
a.
an increment in a given function, expressed as the product of the derivative of that function and the corresponding increment in the independent variable
b.
an increment in a given function of two or more variables, f(x1, x2, …xn), expressed as the sum of the products of each partial derivative and the increment in the corresponding variable
7.
an epicyclic gear train that permits two shafts to rotate at different speeds while being driven by a third shaft
See also differential gear
8. mainly British
the difference between rates of pay for different types of labour, esp when forming a pay structure within an industry
9.
(in commerce) a difference in rates, esp between comparable labour services or transportation routes
Derived forms
differentially (ˌdifferˈentially)
adverb
differential in American English
(ˌdɪfərˈɛnʃəl)
adjective
1.
of, showing, or depending on a difference or differences
differential rates
2.
constituting or making a specific difference; distinguishing
differential qualities
3.
producing differing effects or results, as by the use of differing components
a differential gear
4. Ancient Mathematics
of or involving differentials
noun
5.
a differentiating amount, degree, factor, etc.
differentials in salary
6. Ancient Mathematics
a.
an infinitesimal difference between two consecutive values of a variable quantity
b.
the derivative of a function multiplied by a small increment of the independent variable
7. Mechanics
a differential gear
Derived forms
differentially (ˌdifferˈentially)
adverb
Word origin
ML differentialis < L differentia: see difference
differential in Automotive Engineering
(dɪfərɛnʃəl)
Word forms: (regular plural) differentials
noun
(Automotive engineering: Vehicle components, Engine, transmission, and exhaust)
A differential is a system of gears in a vehicle which allows two shafts to rotate at different speeds.
The five-speed manual transmission channels the power to a limited-slip differential.
The differential enables the vehicle's rear wheels to revolve at different speeds in rounding corners.
In a differential gear system, the two output axles are allowed to turn at different speeds.
differential in Mechanical Engineering1
(dɪfərɛnʃəl)
adjective
(Mechanical engineering: Control, instrumentation and metrology)
Differential control is where the strength of the output is adjusted according to the rate of approach to the setpoint.
The thermostat uses differential control which adjusts the rate of heating as the temperature approaches the setpoint.
The differential controller requires that the temperature exceed setpoint by a certain amount beforethe output will turn off or on again.
Differential control is where the strength of the output is adjusted according to the rate ofapproach to the setpoint.
differential in Mechanical Engineering2
(dɪfərɛnʃəl)
Word forms: (regular plural) differentials
noun
(Mechanical engineering: Machinery and components)
A differential is a type of gear train (= a series of gears on a frame) that allows two shafts to rotate at different speeds while being driven by a thirdshaft.
The differential allows the car's wheels to turn at different speeds.
If a car did not have a differential, the wheels would have to be locked together, and would be forced to spin at thesame speed.
A differential is a type of gear train that allows two shafts to rotate at different speeds whilebeing driven by a third shaft.
Examples of 'differential' in a sentence
differential
Why not tax employers who let wage differentials sprawl?
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
Pay differentials quoted in the report are also very misleading.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
It was there that he began work on his first book on partial differential equations.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
We can therefore think of the forward premium as being determined by the interest differential.
Maurice D. Levi International Finance: The markets and financial management of multinational business. (1983)
It also has an electronic differential that distributes torque power between the rear wheels.
The Sun (2013)
The empirical research on this issue tends to confirm that relative wage differentials affect labour migration.
Forstner, Helmut, Ballance, Robert Competing in a Global Economy (1990)
Pay differentials between the boardroom and workers have ballooned.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
It involves all sorts of differential equations which cannot be handled simply rationally.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
For both reasons there is a rise in interest differentials in favor of the deficit country.
Maurice D. Levi International Finance: The markets and financial management of multinational business. (1983)
Head teachers are reluctant to have differential pay in subjects because they can run into problems.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
But there are still no changes in the pay differentials after the law came in.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
This entire generation of footballers get it in the neck for their conspicuous inability to solve differential equations.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
They will also include workers who earn more than this but who will be paid more by their employers to maintain differentials.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Companies should be made to publish the pay differentials between the top earners and the bottom and median wage in their firms.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
The differential is maintained throughout the Wales household.
Brian Hoey AT HOME WITH THE QUEEN: The Inside Story of the Royal Household (2002)
The pay differential tends to have more of an effect on younger couples, the study found.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
People don't resent pay differentials if they can see the reason for them.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
He undoubtedly has been told that a rise in the minimum wage will push up other wages as employers find it necessary to restore wage differentials.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
Similarly, anthropologists often speak of an urban as opposed to a rural lower class although the quantitative power differentials between the two may be minimal.
Harris, Marvin Cultural Anthropology (1995)
They do not solve, say, differential equations in any formal way.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
He obtained his PhD in 1964 for a thesis on partial differential equations.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
Everyone can find a job that is equally satisfying: there are no problems over wage differentials, because there are no wages.
Roper, Jon Democracy and its Critics - Anglo-American democratic thought in the nineteenth century (1989)
Companies are expected to take a further 234 million hit by maintaining the wage differential for those Just above the minimum wage at present.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
A stale odour of inevitability seeps from the disputes about wage differentials at Manchester City.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
In other languages
differential
British English: differential NOUN
In mathematics and economics, a differential is a difference between two values in a scale.
...the wage differential between blue-collar and white-collar workers.
American English: differential
Brazilian Portuguese: diferencial
Chinese: > 微分数学
European Spanish: diferencial
French: différentiel
German: Unterschied
Italian: differenziale
Japanese: 差
Korean: 차이
European Portuguese: diferencial
Latin American Spanish: diferencial
All related terms of 'differential'
differential gear
the epicyclic gear mounted in the driving axle of a road vehicle that permits one driving wheel to rotate faster than the other, as when cornering
differential rate
a special lower rate, as one charged by one of two or more competing businesses
differential tone
a musical sound sometimes heard when two loud notes are sounded together, lower in pitch than either
wage differential
the difference in wages between workers with different skills in the same industry or between those with comparable skills in different industries or localities
differential calculus
the branch of calculus concerned with the study, evaluation, and use of derivatives and differentials
differential equation
an equation containing differentials or derivatives of a function of one independent variable . A partial differential equation results from a function of more than one variable
differential geometry
the application of differential calculus to geometrical problems; the study of objects that remain unchanged by transformations that preserve derivatives
differential housing
the casing that houses the differential of a motor vehicle
differential operator
any operator involving differentiation , such as the mathematical operator del ∇, used in vector analysis , where ∇ = i ∂/∂ x + j ∂/∂ y + k ∂/∂ z , i , j , and k being unit vectors and ∂/∂ x , ∂/∂ y , and ∂/∂ z the partial derivatives of a function in x , y , and z
differential pricing
a situation in which different prices are charged for the same product or service
differential windlass
a windlass employing the velocity ratio incurred in unwinding from a small drum while winding onto a larger drum rotating at a common speed
differential coefficient
→ derivative (sense 8 )
partial differential equation
a differential equation containing partial derivatives
ordinary differential equation
an equation containing derivatives but not partial derivatives
derivative
A derivative is something which has been developed or obtained from something else.
(adjective)
Definition
of, relating to, or using a difference
They may be forced to eliminate differential voting rights.
Synonyms
distinctive
the distinctive odour of chlorine
different
We have totally different views.
contrasting
distinguishing
The bird has no distinguishing features.
discriminatory
dissimilar
Their styles are not so dissimilar.
divergent
two people who have divergent views
discriminative
diacritical
(noun)
Definition
the difference between rates of pay for different types of labour, esp. within a company or industry
Industrial wage differentials widened.
Synonyms
difference
the vast difference in size
gulf
the gulf between rural and urban life
gap
the gap between the poor and the well-off
distinction
There were obvious distinctions between the two.
discrepancy
the discrepancy between press and radio reports
disparity
economic disparities between countries
divergence
There's substantial divergence of opinion in the party.
amount of difference
Additional synonyms
in the sense of different
Definition
partly or completely unlike
We have totally different views.
Synonyms
dissimilar,
opposed,
contrasting,
changed,
clashing,
unlike,
altered,
diverse,
at odds,
inconsistent,
disparate,
deviating,
divergent,
at variance,
discrepant,
streets apart
in the sense of discrepancy
Definition
a conflict or variation between facts, figures, or claims