formal derivative


formal derivative

[‚fȯrm·əl də′riv·əd·iv] (mathematics) For a polynomial, an x n + an-1 x n-1t⋯ + a1 x + a0, where the coefficients a0, a1,⋯, an are elements of a ring, the formal derivative is the polynomial nan x n-1+ (n-1) an-1 x n-2t … + a1.