QUEZON CITY UNIVERSITY

ELECTRONICS ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT

MODULE 1

INTRODUCTION TO DIFFERENTIAL EQUATIONS

Learning Outcomes

At the end of this module, you should be able to:

1. Define a Differential Equation.

2. Apply basic knowledge of Integration and Differentiation in labeling parts of
Differential Equations.
3. Differentiate Order of a Differential Equations to its Degree

Introduction

Differential equations furnish a very powerful tool for solving many practical
problems of engineering and science generally, as well as a wide range of purely
mathematical problems. The applications to engineering, physics and science generally
are of the greatest importance. A law is conceived and set forth as a system of
differential equations; the solution of these equations tells a rather complete story of the
states and motions to be expected of the materials obeying the law.

Today, we use the same theory to learn about satellites, their orbits, and
methods of guiding them. Around 1865, Maxwell conceived a relation between an
electric current and the corresponding magnetic field, expressed as a partial differential
equation, solved them, and from the result predicted the waves of the radio.

Differential equations have played a prominent role in the development of the

theories of radio, radar, television, and electricity generally. Similar remarks apply to
nearly every important branch of science.

Lesson Proper

In general, a differential equation is an equation that contains derivatives or

differentials. If the equation contains total derivatives but does not contain partial
derivatives, it is called ordinary differential equations; if it contains partial derivatives,
it is called a partial differential equation. Below are two examples of differential
equations.
 QUEZON CITY UNIVERSITY
ELECTRONICS ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT

dy ∂y
=2 y( 1) and =5sin sin 2 x (2)
dx ∂x

Thus, (1) is called an ordinary D.E and (2) is a partial D.E. In each of these differential
equations the variable y is a function of x; we sometimes denote this fact by writing
y=f ( x ). Since y is a function of x in these equations, y is the dependent variable and x
is the independent variable. Note that the dependent variable y is differentiated with
respect to the independent variable x.
Letters other than x and y are sometimes used for the independent and dependent
variables in a differential equation, especially t for the independent variable to represent
time. For example,
dq 2 dy
=t is the same as the differential equation as =x 2
dt dx
except that the independent variable has changed from x to t and the dependent
variable from y to q.

The nth derivative of a function is said to be the derivative of order n, and the
order of a differential equation is the order of the highest derivative that appears in the
equation. For example, differential equation (1) is of first order since the highest
derivative that appears is dy /dx, and differential equation (2) is of second order since
d2 y
the highest derivative that appears is 2 . In this unit you will meet only first-order
dx
differential equations. More specifically, you will meet only first-order differential
equations that can be expressed in the form
dy
=f ( x , y)
dx
where f (x , y ) denotes an expression that depends on the variables x and y. For
example, the differential equations
dy dy
=2 xy and =x 2+ y 2
dx dx
are both of this form.

A parameter is another variable appearing in a differential equations aside

from the independent and dependent variables. This is sometimes referred to as
“Constant Variables or Arbitrary constants”. In the D.E
 QUEZON CITY UNIVERSITY
ELECTRONICS ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT

dy
=2 ky ,
dx
k is the parameter.

The order of a differential equation is the order of the highest – ordered

derivative appearing in the D.E. Consider the differential equations
d2 y
2 dy 2
a.) x 2
+2 x + y =x +2 order is 2
dx dx
3 2
d y d 2 y dy 2 dy
3
b.) ( ) +2 +¿ x ( ) =0 order is 3
dx 3 dx 2 dx dx
2 2 /3
dy
c.) [1+ ( )
dx
] =¿ order is 2

The degree of an ordinary differential equation algebraic in its derivatives is the

algebraic degree of its highest – ordered derivatives. Using the same example, the
degree of (a) is 1, the degree of (b) is 2 and the degree of (c) is 3.

A differential equation is linear if the dependent variable and its entire

derivative occur linearly in the equation.
Sample Problems

Illustrative Example / Exercise:

In each of the following differential equations, fill up the table below.
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ELECTRONICS ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT

Assessment

Direction:

After reading the module, answer the following questions carefully. Write the
answer on the space provided.

In each of the following differential equations, state its type, dependent and independent
variables, linearity, parameter, order and degree.
dy
1. + bx−2 y =5
dx
d 2 y dy
2. + −6 k=0
dx 2 dx
3. y - 6 {x} ^ {2} + {6y} ^ {2} +5ky-s=
∂2 x 2
2d x
4. −b =7 x−2 z
∂ x2 dy2

Reflection

As a student, how does differential equation affects your understanding in

mathematics? In verbal skills and arithmetic approach?

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 QUEZON CITY UNIVERSITY
ELECTRONICS ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT

Assignment

In each of the following differential equations, state its type, independent and dependent
variables, parameters, order, degree and linearity.

d2 y √
1. = ❑
dx 2
d 2 y 1 /3 dy 2 5 / 2
2. ( 2 ) =k [ 1+
dx ( )
dx
]
dy dy
3. sin sin = + x +3
dx dx
4. ( x + y −3 y ) dx + ( x 2+ 3 x + y ) dy=0
2

References

Elementary Differential Equations (6th Edition) by Lyman Kells

Elementary Differential Equations (3rd Edition) by Rainville and Bedient

Advanced Engineering Mathematics (6th Edition) by Wylie and Barrett

Online Supplementary Reading Materials

https://www.khanacademy.org/math/differential-equations