What is Differential: Definition and 1000 Discussions

In mathematics, a differential equation is an equation that relates one or more functions and their derivatives. In applications, the functions generally represent physical quantities, the derivatives represent their rates of change, and the differential equation defines a relationship between the two. Such relations are common; therefore, differential equations play a prominent role in many disciplines including engineering, physics, economics, and biology.
Mainly the study of differential equations consists of the study of their solutions (the set of functions that satisfy each equation), and of the properties of their solutions. Only the simplest differential equations are solvable by explicit formulas; however, many properties of solutions of a given differential equation may be determined without computing them exactly.
Often when a closed-form expression for the solutions is not available, solutions may be approximated numerically using computers. The theory of dynamical systems puts emphasis on qualitative analysis of systems described by differential equations, while many numerical methods have been developed to determine solutions with a given degree of accuracy.

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  1. Destroxia

    Differential Equations, Separable, Simplification of answer

    Homework Statement I believe I have solved this differential equation, yet do not know how the book arrived at it's answer... Solve the differential equation in its explicit solution form. The answer the book gives is... Homework Equations Separable Differential Equation The Attempt...
  2. Destroxia

    Differential Equations, Separable, Explicit Solution

    Homework Statement Solve the differential equation, explicitly. dy/dx = (2x)/(1+2y) The answer given by the book is... -1/2 + 1/2sqrt(2x - 2x^2 +4) Homework Equations Process for solving separable differential equations The Attempt at a Solution dy/dx = (2x)/(1+2y) (1 + 2y)*dy = 2x*dx...
  3. H

    Separable differential equations

    Homework Statement [/B]Homework Equations The Attempt at a Solution I've highlighted two equations on the screenshot. How did it proceed from the first to the second? I'm actually confused with the absolute values. What is the idea behind getting rid of the first absolute value(1-5v^2) while...
  4. S

    Differential equations [arctan(x) to tan(x)]

    Homework Statement dx/dt = (1+x2)et ; x(0) = 1 1/1+x2 dx/dt = et ∫ 1/1+x2 (dx/dt) * dt = ∫ et dt ∫ 1/(1+x2) dx = ∫ et dt arctan(x) = et + c so x(t) = tan (et+c) Homework EquationsThe Attempt at a Solution dx/dt = (1+x2)et ; x(0) = 1 1/1+x2 dx/dt = et ∫ 1/1+x2 (dx/dt) * dt = ∫ et dt ∫...
  5. WannabeNewton

    Calculating Differential Precession of Gyroscopes Due to Gravitational Waves

    To motivate the question, Andy Strominger recently put out a paper on calculating the Sagnac shift of counterrotating beams due to the angular momentum flux of a passing gravitational wave. See here: http://arxiv.org/abs/1502.06120. But consider now two nearby freely falling gyroscopes...
  6. H

    System of nonlinear differential equations

    Hello I have a system of differntial equations: dx/ds = sin(p) dy/ds=cos(p) dp/ds = k dk/ds = -1/EI(s)*(k*dEI/ds+f*sin(p)) x(0)=y(0)=p(0)=p(L)-pl = 0 These are nonlinear differential equations. I should use some sort of nonlinear finite difference. But I do struggle to setting up the finite...
  7. J

    The value of y would be 4, since x + 4 = 0 + 4 = 4 when x = 0. Therefore, d = 4.

    Got a bit of a long and nutty question here. So I got a nutty question from my Calc 1 class and was wondering if anyone could help me out A section of road, represented by the line y = x + 4 when x ≤0, is to be smoothly connected to another section of road, represented by y = 4 –x when x ≥4...
  8. J

    Doubt about convergence test on differential equations

    I will try to explain this with an analogy. Let's have this equation: x^2 =9 And let's assume I don't know algebraic methods to solve it, so I create a list using excel with different values. And I see that if I put x=4 it doesn't work, if I put x=5 it is even worse and so on. But If I put...
  9. L

    Leaky Tank Differential Eqn Problem

    Homework Statement http://ocw.mit.edu/courses/electrical-engineering-and-computer-science/6-003-signals-and-systems-fall-2011/assignments/MIT6_003F11_sol01.pdf http://i.imgur.com/8qj5cWE.png #6 Part B Homework Equations None[/B]The Attempt at a Solution Don't understand why we care about...
  10. SrVishi

    Rigorous Differential Equations text

    Hello, I am a math major and I was wondering if you guys knew what would be a good rigorous differential equations text. I really like rigor (like Rudin analysis style rigor or whatnot), instead of the typical books that just focus on the method. I want the proofs and everything. I also would...
  11. evinda

    MHB How do we get to this differential equation?

    Hello! (Wave) If we have the initial value problem $$h''(t)=-\frac{R^2 g}{(h(t)+R)^2} \\ h(0)=0, h'(0)=V$$ we have the fundamental units: $T,L$ such that $T=[t], L=[h], L=[R], LT^{-1}=[V], LT^{-2}=[g]$ and we get the independent dimensionless quantities $\pi_1=\frac{h}{R}...
  12. perplexabot

    Engineering Differential Mode Gain and 1/2 circuit

    Hey all! I have been trying this problem for a while and can't seem to get the same answer as the solution. If someone can tell me where I am going wrong, that would be much appreciated. I am very close to the solution, but I am missing a term in the denominator. Everything is shown below! Thank...
  13. S

    Coupled differential equations for charged particles

    Hello, I wanted to study the behaviour of electrons in a spatially bounded system. I want to have a larger number of electrons, but I took 3 to start with and arrived at this system of coupled equations: \begin{align}\begin{bmatrix} \mathbf{\ddot{x_{1}}}\\ \\ \mathbf{\ddot{x_{2}}}\\ \\...
  14. D

    Differential map between tangent spaces

    I've been struggling since starting to study differential geometry to justify the definition of a one-form as a differential of a function and how this is equal to a tangent vector acting on this function, i.e. given f:M\rightarrow\mathbb{R} we can define the differential map...
  15. evinda

    MHB General solution of differential equation

    Hello! (Wave) $$(1-x^2)y''-2xy'+p(p+1)y=0, p \in \mathbb{R} \text{ constant } \\ -1 < x<1$$ At the interval $(-1,1)$ the above differential equation can be written equivalently $$y''+p(x)y'+q(x)y=0, -1<x<1 \text{ where } \\p(x)=\frac{-2x}{1-x^2} \\ q(x)= \frac{p(p+1)}{1-x^2}$$ $p,q$ can be...
  16. binbagsss

    Differential commutator expression stuck

    Homework Statement I am trying to show that ##a(x)[u(x),D^{3}]=-au_{xxx}-3au_{xx}D-3au_{x}D^{2}##, where ##D=d/dx##, ##D^{2}=d^{2}/dx^{2} ## etc.Homework Equations [/B] I have the known results : ##[D,u]=u_{x}## ##[D^{2},u]=u_{xx}+2u_{x}D## The property: ##[A,BC]=[A,B]C+B[A,C] ##*The...
  17. N

    Differential of axb: Solving for a^x^b | Homework Help

    Homework Statement Find the differential of axb Homework EquationsThe Attempt at a Solution Really not sure where to start, honestly. Thanks in advance :)
  18. LeDragonian

    How Is Displacement Solved in This Differential Equation?

    It has been a while since I was involved with my differential equations. I am a mech student. I was trying out a sample problem from the dynamics book and came upon this equation. k = some constant of proportionality for a spring pushing back a spring mounted slider. (1/k) arcsin(ks/v_0) = t...
  19. evinda

    MHB Non-linear differential equation

    Hello! (Wave) I want to find the solution $\psi$ of the non-linear differential equation $y'=1+y^2$ that satisfies the condition $\psi(0)=0$. (Notice that the solution $\psi$ exists only for $- \frac{\pi}{2}< x < \frac{\pi}{2}$) We notice that: $(tan^{-1})'(x)=\frac{1}{1+x^2} (\star) \left(...
  20. H

    What does it mean to move a differential?

    Not a homework question, I'm just curious, I know this has been asked a few times, but what exactly is happening when you move dx over to the other side of dy/dx=f'(x), is it like the point slope form ∆y=m∆x, or is it applying the differential to both sides, I've always been told a rigorous...
  21. B

    Two differential equations -- Need to find steady state values

    Homework Statement I have found the two equations describing the system. They are. ċ(t) = 1/θ [ f`(k(t)) -(n + δ + β)]c(t) k̇(t) =f(k(t) - (n +d)k(t) - c(t) Plugging in the numbers: ċ(t) = 2 [ 0,25k^(-0,25) -(0,10)]c(t) k̇(t) =k^0,25 - (0,6)k(t) - c(t) Since ċ(t) and k̇(t) =0 in steady...
  22. R

    Tension on a Rope Deflected by a Pulley: Differentials

    Hi all, first post here. I'm a junior Physics/Math double major at UMass Amherst, playing with some problems over the summer. I'll get right into it. A rope with constant tension T is deflected through the angle 2\theta_{0} by a smooth, fixed pulley. What is the force on the pulley? It is...
  23. V

    MHB Differential form surface integral

    Question: Evaluate the surface integral $$J = 2xzdy \land dz+2yzdz \land dx-{z}^{2}dx \land dy$$ where S \subset {\Bbb{R}}^{3} is the rectangle parametrised by: $$x(u,v) = 1-u,\ y(u,v) = u,\ z(u,v) = v,\ \ 0\le u, v \le 1$$ so far I have: \begin{array}{}x = u\cos v, &dx = \cos v\, du -...
  24. Prof. 27

    First Order Linear Differential Equation

    Homework Statement dv/dt = 9.8 - 0.196v Set in correct form: dv/dt + 0.196v = 9.8 Since p(t) = 0.196, u(t) the integration factor is given by: u(t) = e∫0.196 dt Multiply each term by u(t) and rearrange: (e∫0.196 dt)(dv/dt) + (0.196)(e∫0.196 dt)(v) = (9.8)(e∫0.196 dt) From now on we will set...
  25. P

    How to obtain the differential distribution frequency

    good day all. Please can I see the maths calculation involved in obtaining the differential distribution frequency fm(D) in the attachment.many thanks
  26. S

    Differential of X [ dX = U/V dV + U/p dp ] Internal Energy?

    Homework Statement dX = U/V dV + U/p dp Write the differential of X in terms of the independent variables.Prove that this is an exact differential.Use the ideal gas equation of state to verify that X is actually the internal energy and that it satisfies the above equation. Would...
  27. SU403RUNFAST

    Differential equations, orthogonal trajectories

    Homework Statement you are given a family of curves, in this case i was given a bunch of circles x^2+y^2=cx, sketch these curves for c=0,2,4,6, both positive and negative, solve the equation for c and differentiate both sides with respect to x and solve for dy/dx. You obtain an ODE in the form...
  28. P

    Obtaining Differential and Cumulative Distribution Frequency

    hello all.glad to be here! please in the attached document, column 5 and 6 which represents the differential and cumulative frequency distributions were obtained using equations (5) and (6). I'll be mighty grateful if anyone can give me a step by step breakdown of how it was done?? Many thanks...
  29. D

    Differential equation of frictional force

    A question from a classical mechanics past paper described a particle of mass ##m## that had a pair of horizontal identical springs of spring constant ##k## attached on either side and that the mass is free to move horizontally. The mass is also placed on a table that gives rise to an...
  30. S

    General differential equation solution for Kepler Problem

    To be honest, I don't know any physics. I am a high school student who has taken high school physics, but America's education system isn't known for teaching much more than Newton's laws. I have, however, taken Multivariable/Vector calculus, so I have a decent math background. I was wondering...
  31. gonadas91

    Solve 1st Order ODE from Transcendental Equation

    It is a general doubt about the following equation: Imagine I want to calculate an unknown function y(x), and my starting equation is of the type y(x)^{2}=\frac{1}{x^{2}Log^{2}(A(x)y(x)^{2})} , then, am I allowed to start with the equation y(x)=\frac{1}{xLog(A(x)y(x)^{2})} and...
  32. leafjerky

    Solve the system using differential operators.

    Homework Statement Solve the system using differential operators. Determine the # of arbitrary constants and then compare to your solution. Homework Equations D substitution: replace x' with Dx and y' with Dy The Attempt at a Solution I have the solution to this one, but I'm working...
  33. twoski

    Differential Equations y" + y = tanx, solve this DE

    Homework Statement 1. y" + y = tanx, solve this DE. 2. dP/dt = P(1 - P) where P = (c1et / 1 + c1et), verify that P is a solution to this DE. 3. Given the pair of functionsx and y, show they solve this system: dx/dt = x + 3y dy/dt = 5x+3y x = e-2t + 3e6t y = -e-2t + 5e6tThe Attempt at a...
  34. W

    Separable partial differential equation

    Homework Statement I have two equations. cos(θ)wφ + sin(θ)wφ = 0 (1) And ## \frac{w_φ}{r}## + ∂wφ/∂r = 0 (2) Find wφ, which is a function of both r and theta. Homework EquationsThe Attempt at a Solution I end up with two equations, having integrated. wφ=## \frac{A}{sinθ}## from (1)...
  35. R

    Ampere's law in differential form

    Homework Statement A long cylindrical wire of radius R0 lies in the z-axis and carries a current density given by: ##j(r)= j_0 \left( \frac{r}{R_0} \right)^2 \ \hat{z} \ for \ r< R_0## ##j(r) = 0 \ elsewhere## Use the differential form of Ampere's law to calculate the magnetic field B inside...
  36. Prof. 27

    Linear Ordinary Differential Equation: Definition

    Homework Statement The website says this: "It is Linear when the variable (and its derivatives) has no exponent or other function put on it. So no y2, y3, √y, sin(y), ln(y) etc, just plain y (or whatever the variable is). More formally a Linear Differential Equation is in the form: dy/dx +...
  37. KevinMWHM

    Trouble understanding differential k form

    Homework Statement data[/B] Solving differential k forms. Homework Equations I don't want to give any exact problems from my problem set. The Attempt at a Solution solution.[/B] The text I'm using, CH Edwards, is very abstract in this section and the explanation over a sped up, last class...
  38. Marcis Rancans

    First order differential

    I don't understand this first order differential equation: https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/UUpQF4YjmjJRPvFuzGg2MhpMMMDyi2KFZPCKMKVIXGREc1owvXDzGR0bcA=s600 How is it possible to get an exponent as answer?
  39. R

    Finding Time Taken for Particle to Travel 99 Meters Using Differential Equations

    Homework Statement A particle moves in a straight line with velocity given by ## dx/dt = x +1 ## ( x being distance described). The time taken by the particle to describe 99 meters is? Homework Equations NA The Attempt at a Solution Getting ## ln(x+1) = t + C## How to determine the constant...
  40. M

    Differential Equation - Series - Recurrence Relation

    1. (16+x2)-xy'+32y=0 Seek a power series solution for the given differential equation about the given point x0 find the recurrence relation. So I used y=∑Anxn , found y' and y'' then I substituted it into the original equation, distributed, made all x to the n power equal to xn, made the...
  41. G

    How do I solve this stochastic differential equation?

    Homework Statement I am trying to solve this \begin{align} d X_t = - b^2 X_t (1 - X_t)^2 dt + b \sqrt{1 - X_t^2} dW_t \end{align} where $b$ is a constant. Note that I have the answer here and can provide it if necessary. But I want to know how one would come up with it. Homework EquationsThe...
  42. Destroxia

    Calculus 3 vs Differential Equations

    My school requires me to take a calc 3 course and differential equations for my major. I am scheduled right now to take differential equations in the summer, and calc 3 in the fall of this year. My school recommends they be concurrent classes, but I'm just too strapped down by my already almost...
  43. grandpa2390

    How Do Imaginary Numbers Affect the Inverse Laplace Transform Calculation?

    Homework Statement find the inverse laplace transform. 1/(s^3 + 7s) Homework Equations sin(kt) = k/(s^2 + k^2) cos(kt) = s/(s^2 + k^2) The Attempt at a Solution so this one is different from all the others I have done because it involves an imaginary number and I am not sure what the rule...
  44. M

    Complicated (for me) differential equation problem

    1. I am supposed to find dx and dy. I think I am missing a step or a general idea. I spent quite some time figuring out what rules should I use and the only sequence I can think of is quotient rule and chain on the (x2 +y2)1/2 term. The answer that I find is ((xy(3x2+2y2))/(x2+y2)3/2 . On the...
  45. K

    How to solve highly oscillating differential equation

    The equation looks like: ##x''(t)+b x'(t)+cx(t)+ d x^3(t)=0##. This is the motion of a particle in a potential ##cx^2/2+d x^4/4## with friction force ## b x'##. In my case, the friction term is very small and the particle will oscillate billions of times before the magnitude decreases...
  46. mudweez0009

    2nd Order, homogeneous Differential Equation

    Homework Statement Solve d2θ/dη2 + 2η(dθ/dη) = 0, to obtain θ as a function of η, where θ=(T-T0)/(Ts-T0) EDIT: I should add that this is a multi-part problem, and η is given as η=Cxtm. We had to use that to derive the equation in question above.. So I don't know if this is supposed to be...
  47. B

    What Is the Correct Method to Solve This Differential Equation?

    Homework Statement y3(dy/dx) = (y4 + 1)cosx 2. The attempt at a solution I solved for the homogeneous equation which is y = Ce-sinx Where C is some constant for the particular solution I tried Asinx + Bcosx where A and B are constants but when subbing in it's gets very messy. How should...
  48. beyondlight

    Calculate gain for differential amplifier

    Homework Statement Calculate gain (u_o/u_i) for a differential amplifier with symmetric output. Both transistors have the same transconductance gm. Transistor output resistance r_0 is neglected here. circuit: http://sv.tinypic.com/view.php?pic=14cea8p&s=8#.VSf7Evl_vxM Homework Equations...
  49. R

    Trying to solve a rather difficult differential equation

    Homework Statement Consider a system composed of two species X and Y with fractional populations x and y, respectively, where x+y=1. The two species interact in such a way that the differential equation for x is: \begin{equation} \frac{dx}{dt}=xyA_{0}e^{-\alpha t} \end{equation} where $A_{0}$...
  50. G

    Differential equations: applying force to projectile

    Homework Statement The following series of differential equations represents a projectile's path when solved (g=9.81): Modify this series of differential equations to account for an additional force F with vector components a and b acting on the projectile. Here is a sample plot of this...
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