Research Paper
Significance of Differential Equations to Electronics Engineering
Differential equations is often seen as a difficult mathematics subject because it involves solving
long and complicated equations. However, the main purpose of differential equations is simply to show
the rate of change of a variable in relation to another variable using derivatives. The solution to a
differential equation is not a single value but a function. Many functions form the various concepts that
are commonly used in the fields of science and engineering. These functions are used to obtain quantities
that varies over time.[1]
Many subjects in engineering are based from the theories of differential equation. However,
mathematical theories and concepts behind differential equations is not the main focus of an engineering
student. Engineers study the theory of differential equations to understand and to apply these theorems in
solving physical problems. It is essential for engineers to be able to create models of real world problems.
Mathematical models are made to solve practical problems in order to understand how a certain behavior
occurs.[2] Creating a model of an application problem is a greater challenge than solving differential
equations for mathematical practice. An engineer must be able to formulate and interpret the results of the
equations to study different ways to deal with a given situation.[3]
Electronics engineering covers multiple topics such as electrical circuits, signal processing,
telecommunication, robotics and many more. Most of these topics involve differential equations. In
electric circuit analysis, Kirchhoff’s laws are commonly used to analyze the flow of electricity in a circuit.
These laws can be expressed in terms of differential equations in order to compute for the current and the
charge of a capacitor as time elapse. In mechanical systems, Newton’s laws of motion, vibrations and
pendulums can also be expressed in differential equations. This can be used in understanding movements
of bodies that react to a certain force in a given time. Newton’s law of cooling and heating can also be
used to analyze how temperature changes in a given system. Partial differential equations are also used in
vector analysis and electromagnetics.
Differential equations is a significant subject in electronics engineering. It is not merely studied
as an exercise in solving mathematical equations. Rather, it provides a strong foundation to understanding
how various formulas used in other subjects in electronics engineering were formulated. It shows how
unknown variables are solved and studied. It will be useful in creating mathematical models for practical
applications.
References
[1] Neumann, E. (2016). What Is A Differential Equation? Retrieved December 4, 2017, from https://
www.myphysicslab.com/explain/what-is-a-diff-eq-en.html
[2] Lebl, J. (n.d.) Differential Equations for Engineers Retrieved December 4, 2017, from http://
www.jirka.org/diffyqs/htmlver/diffyqsse2.html
[3] Xie, W. (2010) Differential Equations for Engineers Retrieved December 4, 2017, http://
www.civil.uwaterloo.ca/xie/Graphics/XIE_Differential%20Equations%20for%20Engineers_excerpt.pdf
