1. Differential equations are equations involving derivatives of an unknown function and can be of different orders. Separable differential equations can be expressed as the product of a function of x and a function of y.
2. The general solution or family of solutions to a differential equation represents all possible solutions as determined by initial or boundary conditions. Initial value problems find a particular solution satisfying given initial conditions.
3. Models of natural growth and decay can be represented by differential equations where the rate of change is proportional to the amount present, with solutions in the form of exponential functions. The logistic growth model accounts for limiting factors with a carrying capacity.