# What ODE are these called?

Where n is a natural number, so we get polynomials of derivatives like

$$\left (\frac{\mathrm{d} y}{\mathrm{d} x} \right )^n + \left (\frac{\mathrm{d} y}{\mathrm{d} x} \right )^{n-1} + \left (\frac{\mathrm{d} y}{\mathrm{d} x} \right )^{n-3}... = 0$$

Has some ancient greek guy managed to give a name and techniques on how to solve this?

Do ODEs become nearly impossible if I throw in a g(x,y) or h(x,y) in there? That is

$$H(x,y)\left (\frac{\mathrm{d} y}{\mathrm{d} x} \right )^n + G(x,y)\left (\frac{\mathrm{d} y}{\mathrm{d} x} \right )^{n-1} + \left (\frac{\mathrm{d} y}{\mathrm{d} x} \right )^{n-3}... = 0$$

I imagine it would because we don't even have a "clean" formula for solving cubics.

Is there a method if it was quadratic?

How bad do the G(x,y) and H(x,y) messes things?

HallsofIvy
Homework Helper
Generally speaking, "ancient Greek guys" have given no names at all to things involving derivatives, because derivatives were not invented until around 1700. And as for more modern mathematicians, things tend to get named only if they are useful. I can see nothing useful about that formula.

I imagine it would because we don't even have a "clean" formula for solving cubics.
Yes we do. We have clean formulas for polynomials up to degree 4 (above which a "clean" formula is impossible).

Yes we do. We have clean formulas for polynomials up to degree 4 (above which a "clean" formula is impossible).
I've seen the formula, it's big and unuseful...

Generally speaking, "ancient Greek guys" have given no names at all to things involving derivatives, because derivatives were not invented until around 1700. And as for more modern mathematicians, things tend to get named only if they are useful. I can see nothing useful about that formula.
Well that's not right, I am sure there are ODEs that have that form.

Well that's not right, I am sure there are ODEs that have that form.
Of course there are, at least you have just invented it :p
Although that doesn't mean they are useful.

Actually, the first one - without functions H,G...- doen't really need any special care.
dy/dx are just numbers, so you need just to solve equation x^n + x^{n-1} + ... = 0 .
If there are some real solutions x=s, you just pick one and the solution to the ODE is the function dy/dx=s.

The one with functions H,G.. probably should have non-trivial solutions in some cases (on of the conditions is probably that H,G... have to be continuos), but again, solving it amounts to solving normal polynomial equation first and then solving equation of kind dy/dx=f(x,y), where f(x,y) is solution to the polynomial equation. (If I am not wrong:)