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Introduction To Differential Equations

A differential equation relates a function with its derivatives. There are two main types: ordinary differential equations which do not involve partial derivatives, and partial differential equations which do. Differential equations are also classified by order, which is the highest derivative term. The general solution of a differential equation contains arbitrary constants - the number of constants equals the order of the equation. Specific solutions can be obtained from the general solution by assigning values to the constants.

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Rustom Renz Nuñez
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157 views

Introduction To Differential Equations

A differential equation relates a function with its derivatives. There are two main types: ordinary differential equations which do not involve partial derivatives, and partial differential equations which do. Differential equations are also classified by order, which is the highest derivative term. The general solution of a differential equation contains arbitrary constants - the number of constants equals the order of the equation. Specific solutions can be obtained from the general solution by assigning values to the constants.

Uploaded by

Rustom Renz Nuñez
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Differential Equations

A differential equation is an equation which contains one or more terms and the
derivatives of one variable (i.e., dependent variable) with respect to the other variable (i.e.,
independent variable)

Types of Differential Equations


1. A partial differential equation is a differential equation that involves partial derivatives
2. An ordinary differential equation is a differential equation that does not involve partial
derivatives.

Order of Differential Equations


Another way of classifying differential equation is by order. The order of a differential equation is
the highest derivative that appears in the above equation.

Solution of Differential Equations


If we solve a first order differential equation by variables separable method, we necessarily
have to introduce an arbitrary constant as soon as the integration is performed. Thus, you can see
that a solution of a differential equation of the first order has 1 necessary arbitrary constant after
simplification.

Similarly, the general solution of a second order differential equation will contain 2
necessary arbitrary constants and so on. The general solution geometrically represents an n-
parameter family of curves. For example, the general solution of the differential equation
dy /dx=3 x 2, which turns out to be y=x 3 +c , where c is an arbitrary constant, denotes a one-
parameter family of curves as shown in the figure below.
Types of Solutions of Differential Equations
1. General Solution is a solution of differential equations that contains arbitrary constants
2. Particular Solutions solution of differential equations that does not contains any arbitrary
constant. It is a solution obtained from the General Solution by assigning specific values to
the arbitrary constants.

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