Definition:Differentiation

Definition

The process of obtaining the derivative of a differentiable function $f$ with respect to $x$ is known as:

differentiation (of $f$) with respect to $x$

or

differentiation with respect to $x$

Also known as

The technique of differentiation was called the method of fluxions by Isaac Newton.

The word fluxion evokes the concept of quantities flowing towards zero.

Hence the implicit dependence upon continuity.

Also see

• Results about differentiation can be found here.

Sources

• 1960: P.J. Hilton: Partial Derivatives ... (previous) ... (next): Chapter $1$: Partial Derivatives and Partial Differentiation
• 1989: Ephraim J. Borowski and Jonathan M. Borwein: Dictionary of Mathematics ... (previous) ... (next): differentiation
• 1998: David Nelson: The Penguin Dictionary of Mathematics (2nd ed.) ... (previous) ... (next): differentiation
• 2008: David Nelson: The Penguin Dictionary of Mathematics (4th ed.) ... (previous) ... (next): differentiation
• 2008: Ian Stewart: Taming the Infinite ... (previous) ... (next): Chapter $8$: The System of the World: Calculus