mathieu
n. countablen. a specific type of math equation used to describe how things vibrate or move in waves. It is named after a French mathematician and is mostly used by scientists and engineers.
n. a linear second-order differential equation with periodic coefficients, typically used to model wave motion or physical systems with elliptical boundaries.
The engineer used a Mathieu equation to model the bridge's vibration.
Researchers applied Mathieu functions to analyze the stability of the floating platform during heavy sea storms.
The mathematical treatment of the problem requires solving the Mathieu equation to determine the regions of stability and instability within the parameter space of the oscillating system.
Usually appears in the phrase 'Mathieu equation' or 'Mathieu function'; almost always capitalized as it is an eponym.