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differential equation

American  

noun

Mathematics.
  1. an equation involving differentials or derivatives.


differential equation British  

noun

  1. an equation containing differentials or derivatives of a function of one independent variable. A partial differential equation results from a function of more than one variable

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of differential equation

First recorded in 1755–65

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

“There’s many examples, whether it’s in chemistry, whether it’s in materials, whether it’s in differential equations” that classical computers “just cannot do,” Gambetta said.

From MarketWatch

Reading a Roman play call that’s so long that it requires quarterbacks to wear wristbands doesn’t seem that difficult after he’s untangled differential equations.

From Los Angeles Times

How can they know so much about the tools of the Mesolithic period and French kings and differential equations and the moons of Neptune?

From BBC

By incorporating functional analysis and partial differential equation theory from mathematical analysis, this study extends previous investigations on two-dimensional fluid flows to encompass three-dimensional fluid dynamics with axial symmetry conditions.

From Science Daily

For such differential equations, there is often no exact solution.

From Scientific American