DIFFERENTIAL EQUATIONS – MATH260

If we want to solve an engineering problem (usually of a physical nature), we first have to formulate the problem as a mathematical expression in terms of variables, functions, and equations. Such an expression is known as a mathematical model of the given problem. The process of setting up a model, solving it mathematically, and interpreting the result is called mathematical modeling.

Now many concepts are derivatives. Hence a model is very often an equation containing derivatives of an unknown function. Definition: A differential equation an equation involving an unknown function and its derivatives. Then we want to find a solution of this differential equation. There are several methods to find a solution.