Integrating factors and adjoint equations are determined for linear and non-linear differential equations of an arbitrary order. The new concept of an adjoint equation is used for construction of a Lagrangian for an arbitrary differential equation and for any system of differential equations where the number of equations is equal to the number of dependent variables. The method is illustrated by considering several equations traditionally regarded as equations without Lagrangians. Noether's theorem is applied to the Maxwell equations.

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