Definition of order of a partial differential equation

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SUMMARY

The order of a partial differential equation (PDE) is defined as the highest order derivative present in the equation. For instance, the equation ##\frac{d}{d t}\left(\frac{\partial L}{\partial s_{i}}\right)-\frac{\partial L}{\partial q_{i}}=0## is classified as first order, while ##\frac{d}{d t}\left(\frac{\partial L}{\partial \dot{q_{i}}}\right)-\frac{\partial L}{\partial q_{i}}=0## is classified as second order due to the presence of the time derivative represented by the dot over q. Understanding the distinction between ordinary and partial derivatives is crucial for accurately classifying PDEs.

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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.
 
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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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