Differentiation means making something distinct or different from other things, or the process of becoming different over time.

In mathematics, differentiation is a technique in calculus for finding how quickly something is changing at any particular moment. If you're tracking a rocket's flight, differentiation helps you calculate its exact speed at any instant, not just its average speed over the whole flight. Scientists and engineers use differentiation constantly to understand rates of change: how fast a population is growing, how quickly a medicine spreads through the bloodstream, or how rapidly a temperature is rising.

In business, differentiation means making your product stand out from competitors. A restaurant might differentiate itself through unique recipes, exceptional service, or a special atmosphere. A new smartphone company needs to differentiate its product so customers see why they should choose it over existing options.

In biology, cell differentiation is how a single fertilized egg becomes all the different types of cells in your body. Early in development, cells differentiate into skin cells, brain cells, muscle cells, and hundreds of other specialized types. Each differentiated cell has the same DNA but activates different parts of it to perform its specific job.

Teachers also use differentiation in the classroom, adjusting their teaching methods to match different students' learning styles and needs.