INTRODUCTION TO ES 21

ES 21 is Mathematical Methods in Engineering, but more particularly ES 21 will be about solving

differential equations. Say it with me ES 21 will be about solving differential equations. Why focus on
differential equations? And not, for example, an in-depth study of vector calculus or mathematical
economics?

We focus on solving differential equations because much of natural phenomena and engineering
systems are modeled using differential equations.

Natural phenomena/Engineering system: Solved Form:

dv dP
a= =kMP−kP 2
dt dt
Solution Techniques
vdv dT
a= =β (T −T ∞ ) v =v o +at
ds dt
ds dV v 2 =v 2 + 2 a ( s−s o )
v= =−k √ y o
dt dt 1
d (mv ) s=s o + v o t+ at 2
dX 2
F= =kX
dt dt

d 2 i R di 1 1 dE (t )
dt 2
+( ) ( ) ()
+
L dt LC
i=
L dt

Torricelli’s Law is a mathematical relationship between the flow rate of fluid from a draining tank and the height of
fluid in the tank.

Now to begin our discussion, let us first familiarize ourselves with the basic terminologies which we will
be using in the course.

Terms applied to differential equations:

Partial D.E. – contains two or more independent variables

Ordinary D.E. – contains only one independent variable

Order of an O.D.E. – refers to the highest number of times the dependent variable is differentiated with
respect to the independent variable

Degree of an O.D.E. – refers to the exponent or power of the highest ordered derivative

Homogenous Linear O.D.E. – if the right hand side is zero

Nonhomogenous O.D.E. – if the right hand side is non-zero

Linear O.D.E. – follows the form

dn y d n−1 y d2 y dy
an ( x ) n
+a n−1 ( x ) n−1
+.. .+a 2 ( x ) 2
+a1 (x ) +a( x ) y=g( x )
dx dx dx dx

- Note that (1) y and its derivatives are in first degree; the coefficients of y and its derivatives
depend only on x.