University of Lagos

Department of Systems Engineering

Faculty of Engineering
GEG 219: ORDINARY DIFFERENTIAL
EQUATIONS
Course Lecturer(s)
(i). Engr.(Dr.) O.A.ADELEYE
(ii). Engr.(Dr.) E.E.
ATOJUNERE
 COURSE OUTLINES
Introduction to Differential equations: Linear
dependence, Types and Techniques of solution of
first order ODE’(s),Picard’s iterative method, physical
applications of first order ODE. Theory and solutions
of higher order linear equations, physical applications.
Ordinary differential equations with constant
coefficients, methods of undetermined coefficients,
variation of parameters, D-Operator. Linear
differentials with variable coefficients. Cauchy-Euler’s
equations, systems of linear equations. Properties of
linear operations. Series solutions, first order non-
linear equations, autonomous, equidimentional and
scale-invariant.
 Recommended Textbooks
 Engineering Mathematics by K.A. Stroud.
 Advanced Engineering Mathematics by
Erwin Kreyszig
 Theory and Problems of Advanced
Engineering Mathematics for Engineers
and scientists by Murray R. Spiegel
 and Online materials on differential
equations.
Differential Equations

Definition of a Differential Equation(DE)

A Differential Equation is a relationship between and
independent variable, �, and a dependent variable � and one or
more derivatives of � with respect to �.
2
푑�
� = �푠� � = 0,
푑�

푑2 � 푑�
�� +� + �3� =0
푑�2 푑�
DE represent dynamic relationships, i.e quantities that
change,and are thus frequently occurring in scientific and
Engineering problems
 Some applications of Differential Equations

푑2 �
Falling stone = = g = constant,
푑�2
Outflowing water = ℎ′ = −k ℎ,
′
Vibrating mass on a spring = �� +푘� = 0,
′′ 2
Beat of a vibrating systems = � + �0 = 푐�
푠 �t, �= �0 ,
Deformation of Beam = 퐸 �� =� �
Current I in an RLC circuit = 퐿 + � ′ + =퐸′
�
 Ordinary Differential Equations(ODE)
′
� =cos �
�′′ + 9� = �−2�
′ ′′′ 3 ′
�� - �
2
푑� 푑2 �
�′ denotes �′′ =
, ,
etc.
2
푑� 푑�
The term ordinary distinguishes them from partial
deferential equations(PDEs) which involve partial
derivatives of an unknown function of two or more
variable. For instance, a PDE with unknown �
�2 � �2 �
of two variables � and � � 푠 2 + 2 =0,
�� ��
PDEs have important engineering applications but they
are more complicated than ODEs.
 Ordinary Differential Equations continued

Orders of Differential Equations

An equation having a derivatives of ℎ order but no higher is
called an ℎ order differential equation
푑�
� − �2 =0 is an equation of the 1yst order
푑�
푑2 �
�� -�2 푠� � = 0 is an equation of the 2nd order
푑�2
푑3 � 푑�
−y + �4 =0 is an an equation of the 3rd order
푑�3 푑�
푑2 � 푑�
+2 + 10� = 푠� � is an equation of the second order
푑�2 푑�
 Answer the questions below and give
reason(s) to support you claims
푑�
1. � + �2 +1 is an equation of a ………… order
푑�
equation
2 푑�
2. 푐�
푠 � = 1 is an equation of a ………… order
� +
푑�
equation
푑2 � 푑�
3. − 3 + 2� is an equation of a ………… order
푑�� 푑�
equation
3 푑�
4. � +1 − ��2 = � is an equation of a …… order
푑�
equation