Question

can someone please explain how to know if a differential equation is linear or non linear.

Answer 1

linear if can be written in this form
y'+p(x)y=q(x)

Answer 2

what if theres something in front of y' ?

Answer 3

if it can be written in the form i have it in then its fine

Answer 4

ok thanks!! what about non linear

Answer 5

if it can't be written in that form then its nonlinear

Answer 6

okay thanks for your help

Answer 7

but wait i think i'm just thinking about first order differential equations

Answer 8

so this only applies to first order?

Answer 9

http://tutorial.math.lamar.edu/Classes/DE/Linear.aspx

Answer 10

this is an awesome site

Answer 11

yes i know about it didnt think of looking at it now though.. ill have a look thanks!!