A differential equation is any equation with one or more differential terms –or similar.

Givento findwe differentiateTo findwe differentiateWe can differentiate any number of times: if we differentiate y n times, we have

Examples of differential equations include:

If a functionis a solution to the differential equation then we can substitutefor into the equation and obtain an identity.

Example: Show thatsatisfies the equation

Hence the given function satisfies the equation.

Example: Show thatsatisfies the equation

Hence the given function satisfies the equation.