a.) What are Differential Equations?

Differential equations are mathematical equations that involve one or more terms and the
derivatives of one variable.
Differential equations can be divided into several types:
• Ordinary Differential Equations
• Partial Differential Equations
• Homogeneous Differential Equations
• Nonhomogeneous Differential Equations

Differential equations are further classified as linear or nonlinear:

• Linear Differential Equations
• Nonlinear Differential Equations

b.) How do we classify Differential Equations?

While differential equations can be divided into several types, they can be further described
by attributes such as order, linearity, and degree.
Here’s a common way to classify differential equations:
1. Ordinary and Partial Differential Equations:
• Ordinary Differential Equations - These involve the derivatives of a single independent variable.
They explain one-dimensional processes like motion in a straight line or time-varying phenomena.

• Partial Differential Equations - These involve the derivatives of numerous independent variables.
They explain multi-dimensional phenomena like fluid flow in three-dimensional space or heat
dispersion on a two-dimensional plate.

2. Order of the Differential Equation:

- A differential equation's order is the highest order of the derivative in the equation.
• First-Order Differential Equation - Only the first derivatives of the unknown function(s) are
included.
• Second-Order Differential Equation - Second derivatives are present, but higher-order derivatives are
not.
• Higher-Order Differential Equations - Third, fourth, and higher-order derivatives may be involved.

3. Linearity:
- Differential equations are categorized according to their linearity in relation to the unknown function and
its derivatives.
• Linear Differential Equations -The unknown function and its derivatives are multiplied by constants
or functions and added or subtracted with power 1.
• Nonlinear Differential Equations - It is possible to multiply, divide, or raise to powers the unknown
function and its derivatives.
4. Degree:
- The highest power to which the derivative is raised indicates the degree of a differential equation.
• Degree 1 - If the highest derivative has a power of one (first degree).
• Degree 2 - If the highest derivative has a power of two (second degree).

5. Homogeneous and Nonhomogeneous:

• Homogeneous Differential Equations - A homogeneous equation is one in which the right-hand side
of the equation is zero or a constant.
• Nonhomogeneous Differential Equations - It is nonhomogeneous when the right-hand side includes
functions of the independent variable.

c.) What are the different applications of Differential Equations for Computer
Engineering?
Differential equations are a crucial tool for understanding the nature of the physical
universe and, by extension, are an essential component of computer graphics and vision
models. Light beams, for example, take the shortest path and may be easily represented
using the Euler-Lagrange (differential) Equations.