Basic concepts/Terminology

DIFFERENTIAL EQUATION – is an equation containing derivatives or differential.

dy
example: =12 x and y +2xy'-y=
dx
Classification of Differential Equations

Ordinary Differential Equations – is only involved one independent variable and therefore containing only ordinary derivatives.

Partial Differential Equations – involves two or more independent variables.

In the equation

d2i di 1
L 2
+ R + i=Eω cos cos ωt
dt dt C

i is the dependent variable, t is the independent variable, and L, R, C, E, and ω are called parameters.

Order of Differential Equations – is the order of the highest ordered derivative which appears in the differential equation.

Degree of Differential Equations – is the power to which the highest order derivative is raised when the differential coefficients are free
from radicals and fractions.

Examples:

Identify the independent variables, dependent variables, and the parameters in the equations given below.

dy
1. =cos cos x
dx
d2 y 2
2. +k y=0
d x2
3. ( x 2 + y 2 ) dx−2 xy dy =0
du 2 d 2 u d 2 u
4.
dt
=h ( +
d x2 d y2 )
df df
5. x + y =nf
dx dy
Types of Solutions

General Solution – is a solution to a differential equation that contains one or more arbitrary constants of integration.

Particular Solution – if it is obtain from the general solution by specifying the values of the arbitrary constants.