A differential equation can be entered in Maple using any of the methods for constructing algebraic, transcendental, or any other equation in Maple. It is a good idea to assign each differential equation to a unique, and descriptive, Maple name. Such assignments are typically done using an assignment statement . For example, the ordinary differential equation (ODE) dx/dt = k*x would be entered into Maple as > ode := diff( x(t), t ) = k * x(t);