Chapter 3

Engineering Mathematics

3.1 Differential Equations

3.1.1 Introduction

In this section, we will look at some of the most important (partial) differential equations that we come across in practical mathematics, physics, and (obviously) fluid mechanics. It is always astonishing to see how different physical phenomena can be reduced to the same type of differential equation. Obviously, once a solution to a prototypical differential equation has been found, this may open up entirely new roads to solving a large set of physical problems. These problems may, from the physical point of view, have nothing in common; still, they can be reduced to the same type of underlying equation.

Before introducing the most important differential equations, ...

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