What is term for DEQ that only has terms of a derivative?

  • Context: Undergrad 
  • Thread starter Thread starter swampwiz
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Derivative Term Terms
Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the terminology used for differential equations (DEQs) that consist solely of terms involving derivatives of a function. Participants explore the classification of such equations, particularly focusing on those with constant coefficients and the implications of having terms that include derivatives.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Technical explanation

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants suggest that a DEQ with terms only involving derivatives could be termed a "constant coefficient DEQ".
  • Others propose the term "polydifferential" to align with the concept of polynomials, indicating a preference for this nomenclature.
  • One participant describes a specific DEQ as a "linear, constant coefficient, nonhomogeneous, fourth-order differential equation", explaining the reasoning behind this classification.
  • There is a clarification that the requirement is for a DEQ where every term has a single factor that is a derivative, with a later emphasis on the need for only one non-constant factor.
  • Participants acknowledge that the term "linear, constant coefficient DEQ" is commonly accepted, but the term "polydifferential" is favored by some for its descriptive nature.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree on the classification of the DEQ as a "linear, constant coefficient DEQ", but there is no consensus on the preferred terminology, with some favoring "polydifferential".

Contextual Notes

The discussion includes varying interpretations of the terms used to describe DEQs, and the definitions may depend on specific mathematical contexts or conventions. The distinction between linear and nonlinear equations is also highlighted, particularly in relation to the presence of terms that involve products of the function and its derivatives.

swampwiz
Messages
567
Reaction score
83
For a DEQ like this:

y = y( x )

a y'''' + b y''' + c y'' + d y' + f y = g( x )

where a, b, c, d, f are constants.

I would think it would be called a "constant coefficient DEQ", but a DEQ like this would also be called this

a y y'' + b ( y' )2 = g( x )

but I am only interested in the term for a DEQ in which every term has a single factor that is a derivative.

If I were naming it, I would call it a "polydifferential" so that it would correspond with the term "polynomial", which of course is what the polydifferential would transform into after presuming the natural exponential function for y( x ).
 
Physics news on Phys.org
swampwiz said:
For a DEQ like this:

y = y( x )

a y'''' + b y''' + c y'' + d y' + f y = g( x )

where a, b, c, d, f are constants.

I would think it would be called a "constant coefficient DEQ", but a DEQ like this would also be called this

a y y'' + b ( y' )2 = g( x )

but I am only interested in the term for a DEQ in which every term has a single factor that is a derivative.

If I were naming it, I would call it a "polydifferential" so that it would correspond with the term "polynomial", which of course is what the polydifferential would transform into after presuming the natural exponential function for y( x ).
It is called a (ordinary) linear differential equation.
One can write it as linear equation
$$
\begin{bmatrix} a_0(x) , a_1(x) , \ldots , a_n(x) \end{bmatrix} \cdot \begin{bmatrix} y^{(n)}(x) \\ y^{(n-1)}(x) \\ \vdots \\ y^0 (x) \end{bmatrix} = b(x)
$$
 
swampwiz said:
a y'''' + b y''' + c y'' + d y' + f y = g( x )
where a, b, c, d, f are constants.

I would think it would be called a "constant coefficient DEQ", but a DEQ like this would also be called this
This one is a linear, constant coefficient, nonhomogeneous, fourth-order diff. equation.
Linear because all of the terms involve only the unknown function (y(x)) or its derivatives to the power 1, and because none of the dependent variables (i.e., y, y', y'', etc..) are multiplied together
Constant coefficient because all terms are multiplied only by constants.
Nonhomogeneous because of the g(x) term on the right side. (Moving to the left side doesn't change this.)
Fourth-order because the highest derivative is a fourth derivative.

swampwiz said:
I would think it would be called a "constant coefficient DEQ", but a DEQ like this would also be called this

a y y'' + b ( y' )2 = g( x )
This one is nonlinear because of the term with yy'' and because of the (y')2 term.
swampwiz said:
but I am only interested in the term for a DEQ in which every term has a single factor that is a derivative.
Your first example meets this requirement if a = b = c = d = 1, so that we could write it as ##y^{(4)} + y^{(3)} + y'' + y' + y = g(x)##
 
Mark44 said:
Your first example meets this requirement if a = b = c = d = 1, so that we could write it as ##y^{(4)} + y^{(3)} + y'' + y' + y = g(x)##

I meant to say only one non-constant factor.
 
OK, so it seems that this is called "linear, constant coefficient DEQ". But I like the term "polydifferential".
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
1K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
2K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
1K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
3K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
4K
  • · Replies 27 ·
Replies
27
Views
4K
Replies
1
Views
2K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
3K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
4K