ABSTRACT
A differential equation is one that contains differential coefficients. Differential equations are classified according to the highest derivative which occurs in them. The degree of a differential equation is that of the highest power of the highest differential which the equation contains after any necessary simplification. The process of determining the original relationship between the two variables is called 'solving the differential equation'. A solution to a differential equation which contains one or more arbitrary constants of integration is called the general solution of the differential equation. When finding the general solution of a first order differential equation one arbitrary constant results, when finding the general solution of a second order differential equation two arbitrary constants result, and so on. When additional information is given so that constants may be calculated the particular solution of the differential equation is obtained. The additional information is called the boundary conditions.
