Definition of differential coefficient Differential coefficient
dif•fer•en•tial co•ef•fi•cient
We found 2 definitions of differential coefficient from 2 different sources.
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What does differential coefficient mean?
WordNet
Noun |
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| differential coefficient - the result of mathematical differentiation; the instantaneous change of one quantity relative to another; df(x)/dx | ||
| derived function, derivative, differential, first derivative | ||
| figuring, computation, calculation, reckoning the procedure of calculating; determining something by mathematical or logical methods | ||
| curvature the property possessed by the curving of a line or surface | ||
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Wikipedia 
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In mathematics, the former differential coefficient of a function "f"("x") is now called its derivative "df"("x")/"dx". It is the (not necessarily constant) multiplicative factor or "coefficient" of the differential "dx" in the differential "df"("x").
The differential coefficient of "f" is a constant function only if "f" is a linear function.
The term "differential coefficient" is out of use now.
Early editions of Silvanus P. Thompson's "Calculus Made Easy" use the older term. In his 1998 update of this text, "Martin Gardner" puts "derivative" instead of "differential coefficient". He speaks of it only in context with Thompson's criticism of the term.
