linear differential equation

noun

, Mathematics.

1. an equation involving derivatives in which the dependent variables and all derivatives appearing in the equation are raised to the first power.

Word History and Origins

Origin of linear differential equation¹

First recorded in 1885–90

Example Sentences

One breakthrough came in 2010, when Dominic Berry, now at Macquarie University in Sydney, built the first algorithm for solving linear differential equations exponentially faster on quantum, rather than on classical, computers.

From Quanta Magazine

The special classes of discontinuous groups that have been dealt with Group of a linear differential equation.

From Project Gutenberg

Every problem of mathematical physics which leads to a linear differential equation supplies an instance.

From Project Gutenberg