2140 - Notes, Syllabus Section VI, lecture 35 (11/20/95)

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(Boas Ch. 8.1-8.4)

Introduction to Differential Equations. Simple examples to provide definitions of: Ordinary Differential Equation (ODE), Partial Differential Equation (PDE), order of the equation (the highest derivative found in the equation), linear ODE (meaning it's linear in the y's and derivatives of y, but doesn't have to be linear in the independent variable), Definition of "Solution of an ODE", general and particular solutions. (Nth order linear ODE's have general solution with N arbitrary constants)

Boundary conditions (and the special case, "initial conditions" will fix the arbitrary constants and yield a particular solution.

Separable equations: LHS is a function of y only, RHS is a function of x only, then integrate each side symbolically

All linear first order ODE's have a general solution! See Boas 8.3...


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