Jump to content

question about ordinary differential equations

heikediguoren
in Homework Help

Featured Replies

I'm doing an exercise that gives me a list of equations and asks me to identify which ones are ordinary differential equations (hereafter DE).

 

The solutions in the back of the book say that

 

(1) y'' + (2/x)y' + e^(-y) = 0

 

is a DE, but

 

(2) y''' - (1/(x^(1/2)))(y^(3/2)) = 0

 

is not.

 

I don't understand the difference between these two equations. Both contain only an independent variable x, a function y(x), and that function's derivatives. So why is (1) a DE but not (2)? Is my textbook's solution wrong?

 

I can't ask my teacher because I'm not in a class; I just wanted to learn about differential equations so I got a book.

  • 1 month later...

ODE is defines as F(y,y',y'') =0

 

the 2nd equations appears to be a nonlinear eqn

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

Go to topic listing

Important Information

We have placed cookies on your device to help make this website better. You can adjust your cookie settings, otherwise we'll assume you're okay to continue.

Configure browser push notifications
Chrome (Android)
  1. Tap the lock icon next to the address bar.
  2. Tap Permissions → Notifications.
  3. Adjust your preference.
Chrome (Desktop)
  1. Click the padlock icon in the address bar.
  2. Select Site settings.
  3. Find Notifications and adjust your preference.