- #1
NJJ289
- 18
- 0
So I just started taking an intro diff eq course and here's one of my homework problems:
"Determine whether the given first-order diff eq is linear in the indicated dependent variable."
(y2-1)dx + xdy=0; in y; in x
I got the whole bit about the general form for linearity but I was thrown off by having just a 'dx' and 'dy' instead of the more familiar 'dy/dx'
(answer to the question is non linear when y is dependant, linear when x is dependant)
I'm confused as to what exactly 'dy' or 'dx' means, both conceptually and mathematically. I have a feeling there's a nice thread on this somewhere...
thanks for the help!
"Determine whether the given first-order diff eq is linear in the indicated dependent variable."
(y2-1)dx + xdy=0; in y; in x
I got the whole bit about the general form for linearity but I was thrown off by having just a 'dx' and 'dy' instead of the more familiar 'dy/dx'
(answer to the question is non linear when y is dependant, linear when x is dependant)
I'm confused as to what exactly 'dy' or 'dx' means, both conceptually and mathematically. I have a feeling there's a nice thread on this somewhere...
thanks for the help!