I Definition of order of a partial differential equation

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The order of a partial differential equation (PDE) is defined by the highest derivative present in the equation. A first-order PDE contains only first derivatives, while a second-order PDE includes second derivatives, as illustrated by the examples provided. The dot notation over variables indicates time derivatives, which can lead to confusion when mixing time and spatial derivatives. Understanding the distinction between ordinary and partial derivatives is crucial for accurately determining the order of the equation. Numerous online resources are available for further exploration of differential equations.
Kashmir
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How is the order of a partial differential equation defined?

This is said to be first order: ##\frac{d}{d t}\left(\frac{\partial L}{\partial s_{i}}\right)-\frac{\partial L}{\partial q_{i}}=0##

And this second order :##\frac{d}{d t}\left(\frac{\partial L}{\partial \dot{q_{i}}}\right)-\frac{\partial L}{\partial q_{i}}=0##

What's the proper definition?

Thank you
 
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The dot over the q makes the second line second order.
 
mathman said:
The dot over the q makes the second line second order.
Thank you, could you please tell me the definition of second order for partial D.E ?
 
The order for partial D.E., like an ordinary D.E., refers to the highest order derivative in the D.E.

For example, a D.E. with ##\partial^2{y}/\partial{x}^2##, would be 2nd order if no higher derivatives were present, and similarly with d2y/dx2.

Unfortunately, I've gone blank about mixing time and position/space derivatives, and ordinary with partial.

There are many online tutorials concerning DEs, both ODE and PDE.
https://users.aber.ac.uk/ruw/teach/260/classification.php
https://tutorial.math.lamar.edu/classes/calciii/highorderpartialderivs.aspx

https://www.math.toronto.edu/jko/APM346_summary_1_2020.pdf
https://www.csc.kth.se/utbildning/kth/kurser/DN1213/numme06/utdelat/kap10.pdf
 
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