8/3/25, 1:55 PM Differential Equations - Definition, Formula, Types, Examples
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Differential Equations
An equation that contains the derivative of an unknown function is called a differential equation. The rate of change of a function at a point is defined
What are Differential Equations?
A differential equation is an equation that contains at least one derivative of an unknown function, either an ordinary derivative or a partial derivative
In calculus, a differential equation is an equation that involves the derivative (derivatives) of the dependent variable with respect to the independent
(dy/dx) = sin x
(d2y/dx2) + k2y = 0
(d2y/dt2) + (d2x/dt2) = x
(d3y/dx3) + x(dy/dx) - 4xy = 0
(rdr/dθ) + cosθ = 5
Order of Differential Equations
The order of a differential equation is the highest order of the derivative appearing in the equation. Consider the following differential equations,
dy/dx = ex, (d4y/dx4) + y = 0, (d3y/dx3) + x2(d2y/dx2) = 0
In above differential equation examples, the highest derivative are of first, fourth and third order respectively.
First Order Differential Equation
You can see in the first example, it is the first-order differential equation that has a degree equal to 1. All the linear equations in the form of derivative
Second-Order Differential Equation
The equation which includes second-order derivative is the second-order differential equation. It is represented as; d/dx(dy/dx) = d2y/dx2 = f”(x) =
Degree of Differential Equations
If a differential equation is expressible in a polynomial form, then the integral power of the highest order derivative that appears is called the degree
Here the order of the differential equation is 4 and the degree is 3.
Note: If a differential equation is not expressible in terms of a polynomial equation having the highest order derivative as the leading term, then that
Types of Differential Equations
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8/3/25, 1:55 PM Differential Equations - Definition, Formula, Types, Examples
Ordinary Differential Equations
Partial Differential Equations
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Differential Equations Examples
Example 1: What is the order of the differential equations (d2y/dx2) + x(dy/dx) + y = 2sinx?
Solution: The order of the given differential equation (d2y/dx2) + x(dy/dx) + y = 2sinx is 2.
Answer: The order is 2.
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8/3/25, 1:55 PM Differential Equations - Definition, Formula, Types, Examples
Practice Questions on Differential Equation
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FAQs on Differential Equations
What is a Differential Equation in Calculus?
What is the Formula of Differential Equation?
What Are the Applications of Differential Equations?
How Many Types of Differential Equations Are There?
What are Homogeneous Differential Equations?
What are Second Order Differential Equations?
How to Find Order and Degree of Differential Equations?
What Are The Applications of Differential Equations?
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