How are differentials understood in economics? Conceptions identified in a textbook analysis

Abstract Differentials are commonly used in economics. However—similarly to other concepts—the way differentials are taught in mathematics courses for economics students might not fit to how they are used in subjects of the students’ major discipline. We therefore investigated by means of a textbook analysis how differentials are used and understood in microeconomics courses, and compared this with the way they are conveyed in mathematics for economics students. This analysis especially shows discrepancies between how differentials are introduced in mathematics and common ways of thinking about differentials in microeconomics, which can hinder students in gaining a holistic picture of the concept. Based on this analysis, we propose consequences for the teaching of differentials in mathematics courses for economics students.