In [[mathematics]], a '''partial differential equation''' ('''PDE''') is a [[differential equation]] that contains unknown [[Multivariable calculus|multivariable functions]] and their [[partial derivative]]s. PDEs are used to formulate problems involving functions of several variables, and are either solved by hand, or used to create a [[computer model]]. A special case is [[ordinary differential equation]]s (ODEs), which deal with functions of a single variable and their derivatives. | In [[mathematics]], a '''partial differential equation''' ('''PDE''') is a [[differential equation]] that contains unknown [[Multivariable calculus|multivariable functions]] and their [[partial derivative]]s. PDEs are used to formulate problems involving functions of several variables, and are either solved by hand, or used to create a [[computer model]]. A special case is [[ordinary differential equation]]s (ODEs), which deal with functions of a single variable and their derivatives. |