differential equation

noun

: an equation containing differentials or derivatives of functions compare partial differential equation

Examples of differential equation in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web The students then learned to map out the likely impact of teeth scrubbing on plaque growth, before pivoting to other possible applications of advanced concepts like vector spaces and differential equations. Daniel Mollenkamp, USA TODAY, 6 Sep. 2023 For such differential equations, there is often no exact solution. Manon Bischoff, Scientific American, 24 July 2023 Some of the models include up to 100 differential equations just for one cell. Steven Strogatz, Quanta Magazine, 12 July 2023 One of his proudest accomplishments is taking differential equations with linear algebra at George Fox during his sophomore year. oregonlive, 21 June 2023 The field equations of general relativity consist of 10 nonlinear differential equations that must be solved simultaneously — a task so demanding that exact solutions have only been obtained in a handful of special cases. Steve Nadis, Discover Magazine, 20 Apr. 2023 Our model described the interaction over time of glucose and insulin by means of differential equations representing the best available estimates of human physiology. Boris Kovatchev, IEEE Spectrum, 21 Nov. 2021 These are differential equations that describe the flow of liquids. Manon Bischoff, Scientific American, 23 Mar. 2023 Technically, this is a differential equation. Rhett Allain, Wired, 2 Nov. 2020 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'differential equation.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1704, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of differential equation was in 1704

Dictionary Entries Near differential equation

Cite this Entry

“Differential equation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/differential%20equation. Accessed 30 Sep. 2023.

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