An [[ordinary differential equation]] (''ODE'') is an equation containing an unknown [[function of a real variable|function of one real or complex variable]] {{mvar|x}}, its derivatives, and some given functions of {{mvar|x}}. The unknown function is generally represented by a [[variable (mathematics)|variable]] (often denoted {{mvar|y}}), which, therefore, ''depends'' on {{mvar|x}}. Thus {{mvar|x}} is often called the [[independent variable]] of the equation. The term "''ordinary''" is used in contrast with the term [[partial differential equation]], which may be with respect to ''more than'' one independent variable. | An [[ordinary differential equation]] (''ODE'') is an equation containing an unknown [[function of a real variable|function of one real or complex variable]] {{mvar|x}}, its derivatives, and some given functions of {{mvar|x}}. The unknown function is generally represented by a [[variable (mathematics)|variable]] (often denoted {{mvar|y}}), which, therefore, ''depends'' on {{mvar|x}}. Thus {{mvar|x}} is often called the [[independent variable]] of the equation. The term "''ordinary''" is used in contrast with the term [[partial differential equation]], which may be with respect to ''more than'' one independent variable. |