CHAPTER 1

DEFINITIONS
DEFINITION OF TERMS
Differential Equation
 An equation which contains derivatives or differentials
 Example:

1. where =
DEFINITION OF TERMS
Ordinary Differential Equation
 If there is a single independent variable in a DE, the derivatives
are ordinary derivatives and the equation is called an ordinary
differential equation.
 Example:
DEFINITION OF TERMS
Partial Differential Equation
 If there are two or more independent variables, the derivatives are partial
derivatives and the equation is called a partial differential equation.
 Example:

1. (δ2u / δx2) + δ2u / δy2= x2+ y2

DEFINITION OF TERMS
Order of a Differential Equation
 The order of a differential equation is the order of the highest-ordered derivative
appearing in the equation.
 Example 1:

There are two derivatives given in the equation and of different order but from the definition,
the order of the differential equation must be the highest order. Therefore, the order is two (2).
DEFINITION OF TERMS
Order of a Differential Equation
 The order of a differential equation is the order of the highest-ordered derivative
appearing in the equation.
 Example 2:

The order of the differential equation is three (3).

DEFINITION OF TERMS
Degree of a Differential Equation
 The degree of a DE is the same as the degree or power of the highest ordered
derivative, after the equation has been rationalized and cleared of fractions with
respect to all the derivatives.

 Example 1:

The degree or power of the derivatives is 1 and the order of the differential equation is 2.
DEFINITION OF TERMS
Degree of a Differential Equation
 Example 2:

There are two derivatives of different order that are raised to two different powers. Considering
the power of the highest ordered derivative, the degree of the DE is one (1).
 Example 3:

First, we have to clear the fraction. Squaring both sides of the equation will result to:

Therefore, the degree of the differential equation is 2.

DEFINITION OF TERMS
Linearity of a Differential Equation
 The equation

is called linear if the function F is a linear function of variables .

 The general linear equation of order n may be written as

DEFINITION OF TERMS
Linearity of a Differential Equation
 Example:

Check if it satisfies all the necessary conditions for a linear differential equation.
• Is the order decreasing by one?

• Are all the derivatives raised to power one?

• Are all the coefficients functions of x or any constants?