Difference Between Differential and Derivative
The basic differences between Differential and Derivative are added in the table below,
Differential Vs Derivative |
|
---|---|
Differential |
Derivative |
Represents the infinitesimal change in a function or variable. |
Represents the rate of change of a function at a point or over an interval. |
Denoted by “d” followed by the variable. |
Denoted by prime notation. |
Measures the change in the dependent variable. |
Measures the rate of change of the dependent variable. |
Indicates the change in the function with respect to an independent variable. |
Indicates the slope or gradient of the function at a specific point. |
Can be used to calculate the total change by integrating over an interval. |
Can be used to find the slope of the tangent line or the instantaneous rate of change. |
Represents the incremental or local change. |
Represents the average or instantaneous change. |
It is useful in physics, engineering, and calculus. |
Fundamental concepts in the calculus and mathematical analysis. |
It enables the calculation of the small changes in quantities. |
It enables studying functions and their behavior |
Now let’s learn about, Differential and Derivative in brief
Difference Between Differential and Derivative
Differential and Derivative both are related but they are not the same. The main difference between differential and derivative is that a differential is an infinitesimal change in a variable, while a derivative is a measure of how much the function changes for its input.
In this article, we will explore the difference between differential and derivative and understand their roles in calculus.