DIFFERENTIAL

EQUATIONS
Ayrton John V. Bantay, MSM, ME
Instructor, Department of Mechanical Engineering
 Differential Equation
■A DE is one which contains within it
least one derivative. Sometimes, for
analytical convenience, the DE is
written in terms of the differentials. It
is also be given either in the explicit or
implicit form.
Classifications of Differential Equations
■ 1. Order: The order of a DE is the order of the highest-
ordered derivative in the equation.
■ 2. Degree: the degree of a DE is the largest power or
exponent of the highest-ordered derivative present in the
equation.
■ 3. Type: A differential equation may be ordinary or partial as
to the type of derivatives or differentials appearing in the
equations, that is, if it contains ordinary derivatives, it is an
ordinary DE and if the derivatives are partial, the equation is
partial DE.
 General Form of the Nth-Ordered
Ordinary DE
𝑛 𝑛−1 𝑛−2
𝑑 𝑦 𝑑 𝑦 𝑑 𝑦 𝑑𝑦
𝐹 𝑛
, 𝑛−1 , 𝑛−2 , … , , 𝑥, 𝑦 = 0
𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑥

■ Remark: The equation defines any function relating

the dependent variable y, the independent variable x,
and the derivatives of y relative to x up to and
including the nth derivative.
Solution to an Ordinary DE
■ The solution to an ordinary DE is another
equation free of any derivative or
differentials expressing the functional
relationship between the dependent and
independent variables and which, when
substituted into the equations, reduces it to
an identity.
Types of Solution to a DE
■ Particular Solution: the solution to a DE is said to
be particular if it does not contain any arbitrary
constant.
■ General Solution: the solution is said to be general
if it contains at least one arbitrary constant.
General Form:
𝐺 𝑥, 𝑦, 𝐶1 , 𝐶2 , 𝐶3 , … , 𝐶𝑛 = 0
where 𝐶1 , 𝐶2 , 𝐶3 , … , 𝐶𝑛 are the n arbitrary constants.
■ Remark: Given the simple nth-ordered DE:
𝑑𝑛𝑦
= k (k = constant)
𝑑𝑥 𝑛
n successive integration of the will yield a
solution which will contain the n arbitrary
elements specified in the previous general
form.
 Determination of the
Particular Solution
■ Remark 1: The term initial condition is used
when the independent variable is the time and
the conditions given are at zero-time, t = 0.
■ Remark 2: The term boundary is used if the
independent variable is anyone of the spatial
coordinates, x, y, or z and the conditions given
are fro known values of anyone of these
coordinates.
Linearity of DE
■ The dependent variable and its derivative occur in
first power only.
■ There is no product involving the dependent variable
and its derivative.
■ There are no non-linear functions of the dependent
variable such as trigonometric, logarithmic,
hyperbolic, exponential functions, etc.
 Thank You

God Bless Us All