Definitions[edit]

In what follows, y is a dependent variable representing an unknown function y = f(x) of

the independent variable x. The notation for differentiation varies depending upon the author and
upon which notation is most useful for the task at hand. In this context, the Leibniz's
notation (dy/dx, d y/dx , …, d y/dx ) is more useful for differentiation and integration,
2 2 n n

whereas Lagrange's notation (y′, y′′, …, y(n)) is more useful for representing higher-order

derivatives compactly, and Newton's notation is often used in physics for representing
derivatives of low order with respect to time.
General definition[edit]
See also: Order of differential equation
Given F, a function of x, y, and derivatives of y. Then an equation of the form

is called an explicit ordinary differential equation of order n.[8][9]

More generally, an implicit ordinary differential equation of order n takes the form:[10]

There are further classifications:

Autonomous
A differential is autonomous if it does not depend on the variable x.
Linear

A differential equation is linear if can be written as a linear combination of the

derivatives of y; that is, if can be rewritten as

where a i (x) and r (x) are continuous functions of x.[8][11][12] The function r(x) is called
the source term, leading to further classification.[11][13]
Homogeneous
A linear differential equation is homogeneous if r(x) = 0. In this case, there is always the
"trivial solution" y = 0.
Nonhomogeneous (or inhomogeneous)
A linear differential equation is nonhomogeneous if r(x) ≠ 0.
Non-linear
A differential equation that is not linear.
System of ODEs[edit]
Main article: System of differential equations
A number of coupled differential equations form a system of equations.
If y is a vector whose elements are functions; y(x) =
[y1(x), y2(x),..., ym(x)], and F is a vector-valued function of y and its
derivatives, then

is an explicit system of ordinary differential

equations of order n and dimension m. In column vector form:

These are not necessarily linear. The implicit analogue is:

where 0 = (0, 0, ..., 0) is the zero vector. In matrix form