Differential Equations Overview

Differential equation is another example of some fancy math language that is really talking about a very straightforward idea that you are already familiar with, a derivative. A differential equation is a derivative. They try to make it out to be more than that, but really it is a derivative, some $\frac{\mathit{dy}}{\mathit{dx}}$ or $y‘$.

The differential equation section is an intersection between the two main topics you have learned in this course; a derivative and an antiderivative.

Derivative

You will want to think in terms of a derivative when you are being asked to:

–           Verify the solution of a differential equation.

–           Work with slope fields.

Antiderivatives

You will want to think in terms of an antiderivative when you are being asked to:

–           Model situations with differential equations.

–           Solve separable differential equations.