Introduction

01

Chapter
Introduction
Highlights:

1.1 Definition of differential equation 1.5.2 Particular solution

1.2 Types of differential equations 1.5.3 Singular solution
1.3 Order 1.6 Formation of differential equation
1.4 Degree 1.7 Some done examples
1.5 Solution 1.8 Exercise
1.5.1 General (or complete) solution

1.1 Definition of differential equation: A differential equation is an

equation, which involves differential coefficients or differentials.
dy dy
Example (1.1):  y  0 is a differential equation as it contains .
dx dx

1.2 Types of differential equations: There are two types of differential

equations. (i) Ordinary differential equations, (ii) Partial differential
equations
(i) Ordinary differential equations: Ordinary differential equations are
those, which involve only one independent variable.
d 2 y dy
Example (1.2):   y  0 . This is an ordinary differential
dx 2 dx
equation as it involves only one independent variable, x.
(ii) Partial differential equations: Partial differential equations are
those which involve two or more than two independent variables.
u u
Example (1.3): x y  nu . This is a partial differential equation
x y
u
as it involves two independent variables, x and y. In the equation
x

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 Introduction

u
and are the differential coefficients with respect to independent
y
variables x and y respectively.

1.3 Order: The order of a differential equation is just order of the

highest derivative occurring in the equation.
d 2 y dy
Example (1.4):   y  0 is second order differential equation,
dx 2 dx
d4y d2y
and   y  0 is fourth order differential equation.
dx 4 d 2 x

1.4 Degree: The degree of a differential equation is the degree of the

highest derivative occurring it after it has been eliminated of radicals and
of fractions.
d3y d2y
Example (1.5):   y  0 is a first degree but third order
dx 3 d 2 x
d3y
differential equation because the degree of highest derivative is 1.
dx 3
4
4

  dy   
  dy  
3
d2y
4 3 4
 d2y 
Example (1.6): 1      c 2 Or, 1      c 2 

  dx    dx 
  dx     dx 
d2y
Since, the degree of highest derivative is 3. So, the equation is of
dx 2
third degree.

1.5 Solution: The solution of a differential equation is a relation between

the variables, which satisfies the differential equation.
Example (1.7): y = Aex + Be-x is the solution of the differential equation,
d2y
 y  0.
dx 2

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 Introduction

1.5.1 General (or complete) solution: The general (or complete)

solution of a differential equation is the solution of the differential
equation, in which the number of arbitrary constant is equal to the order
of the differential equation.
Example (1.8): y = Ae-2x + Be-3x is the general solution of the differential
d2y dy
equation, 2
 5  6 y  0 , because the equation is of second order
dx dx
and the solution contains two arbitrary constant A and B.

Example (1.9): Show that y = Aex + Be2x is the general solution of the
d2y dy
differential equation 2
 3  2 y  0 . Here, A, B are arbitrary
dx dx
constants.
dy d
Solution: Here, = ( Aex + Be2x) = Aex + 2Be2x.
dx dx
d y d2
2
And = ( Aex + 2Be2x) = Aex + 4Be2x.
dx 2 dx 2
d2y dy
Now, 2
 3  2 y = Aex + 4Be2x – 3(Aex + 2Be2x) + 2(Aex + Be2x)
dx dx
= Aex + 4Be2x – 3Aex – 6Be2x + 2Aex + 2Be2x
=0
So, y = Ae-2x + Be-3x is a solution of the given differential equation. But it
contains 2 arbitrary constant A & B and the given differential equation is
of second order. That is, number of arbitrary constants is equal to the
order of the differential equation. Therefore, the solution is the general
solution of the given equation.

1.5.2 Particular solution: A solution, which obtained from the general

solution by giving particular values to the arbitrary constant(s). That is,
particular solution does not contain any arbitrary constant.
Example (1.10): For some conditions putting A =1 and B =5 in the
general solution y = Ae-2x + Be-3x of the differential equation

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 Introduction

d2y dy
2
 5  6 y  0 , we get, y = e-2x + 5e-3x, which is the particular
dx dx
solution of the differential equation.

1.5.3 Singular solution: Some times a differential equation holds a

solution, which is different from general and particular solution, is
known as singular solution. Singular solution cannot be found from
general solution.
Example (1.11): y = 0 is a singular solution of the differential equation,
2
 dy 
   4y  0 .
 dx 
d2y dy
Example (1.12): If y1 and y2 are two solutions of 2
 a  by  0
dx dx
then show that (i) Ay1, (ii) c1y1 + c2y2 are also solution of that
differential equation. Here, a, A, c1, c2 are constant.
Solution: Given that, y1 and y2 are two solutions of
d2y dy
2
 a  by  0 .
dx dx
d 2 y1 dy
So, 2
 a 1  by1  0 . . . (1)
dx dx
2
d y2 dy
And 2
 a 2  by 2  0 . . . (2)
dx dx
(i) Putting y = Ay1 in the L.H.S of the given equation, we get,
d2 d 2 y1
2
 Ay1   a  Ay1   b( Ay1 ) = A( 2  a dy1  by1 ) = A.0 = 0
d
dx dx dx dx
[Using (1)]

So, y = Ay1 is also is a solution of the given differential equation.

(ii) Substituting y = c1y1 + c2y2 in the L.H.S of the given equation, we

get,

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 Introduction

d2
2
c1 y1  c2 y2   a d c1 y1  c2 y2   b(c1 y1  c2 y2 )
dx dx
2
d y1 dy1 d 2 y2 dy
= c1 ( 2
a  by1 ) + c2 ( 2  a 2  by 2 )
dx dx dx dx
= c1.0 + c2.0 [Using equation (1) and (2)]
=0
So, y = c1y1 + c2y2 is also a solution of the given differential equation.

1.6 Formation of differential equation: To form a differential equation

from a given relation or equation, it is necessary to differentiate the
relation as many times as many arbitrary constants are in it; and then
arbitrary constants will be eliminated from the relation. If a relation
contains n number of arbitrary constants, it will have to be differentiate n
times to form the differential equation. And then all arbitrary constants
will have to be eliminated from the relation.

Example(1.13): Suppose f ( x, y,1 , 2 , 3 ,..., n )  0 ...(1) is a relation

or equation with n number of arbitrary constants,  1 ,  2 ,  3 , …,  n .
Differentiating equation (1) with respect to x, we get
dy
 1 ( x, y,1 , 2 ,..., n , )  0 ... (2)
dx
Again differentiating (1) with respect to x for two times, we get
dy d 2 y
 2 ( x, y,1 , 2 ,..., n , , )  0 ... (3)
dx dx 2
Again differentiating (1) with respect to x for three times, we get
dy d 2 y d 3 y
 3 ( x, y,1 , 2 ,..., n , , , )  0 ... (4)
dx dx 2 dx 3
In this way, differentiating (1) with respect to x for four times, five times,
…, n times, we get,
… … ...
dy d 2 y d 3 y dny
 n ( x, y,1 , 2 ,..., n , , 2 , 3 ,..., n )  0 … (n +1)
dx dx dx dx

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 Introduction

Now eliminating arbitrary constants  1 ,  2 ,  3 , …,  n from equation

(1) with the help of equations, (2), (3), …, (n+1), we get
dy d 2 y d 3 y dny
 ( x, y, , 2 , 3 ,..., n )  0 ; This is the required differential
dx dx dx dx
equation of order n.

1.7 Some done examples:

Example (1.14): Find the differential equation of the family of curves
xy  Ae x  Be  x  x 2 for different values of A and B.
Solution: Given that, xy  Ae x  Be  x  x 2 . . . (i)
Differentiating (i) with respect to x, we get,
dy
x  y  Ae x  Be  x  2 x
dx
Again differentiating with respect to x, we get,
d 2 y dy dy
x    Ae x  Be x  2
dx 2 dx dx
d2y dy
Or, x 2 2  Ae x  Be  x  x 2  x 2  2
dx dx
d2y dy
Or, x 2 2  xy  x 2  2 [Using equation (i)]
dx dx
This is the required differential equation.

Example (1.15): Find the differential equation of all straight lines in a

plane.
Solution: The general equation of all straight lines in a plane is
y = mx + c . . . (i); where m and c are arbitrary constant.
Differentiating (i) with respect to x, we get,
dy
 m . . . (ii)
dx
Again differentiating (ii) with respect to x, we get,
d2y
 0 ; This is the required differential equation.
dx 2
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 Introduction

Example (1.16): Form the differential equation of the circle represented

by y 2  2ay  x 2  a 2 ; a being arbitrary constant.
Solution: Given that, y 2  2ay  x 2  a 2 . . . (i)
Differentiating (i) with respect to x, we get,
dy dy
2y  2a  2 x  0
dx dx
dy
Or, yy1  ay1  x  0 ; [ Let  y1 ]
dx
x  yy1
Or, a . . . (ii)
y1
Putting the value of a of the equation (ii) in equation (i), we get,
2
 x  yy1   x  yy1 
y  2 y
2
  x 2   
 y1   y1 
y 2 y1  2 xy  2 y 2 y1  x 2 y1 x 2  2 xyy1  y 2 y1
2

Or,  2
y1 y1
y 2 y1  2 xyy1  2 y 2 y1  x 2 y1  x 2  2 xyy1  y 2 y1
2 2 2 2
Or,
2
[Multiplying by y1 ]
(2 y 2  x 2 ) y1  4 xyy1  x 2  0
2
Or,
(2 y 2  x 2 ) y1  4 xyy1  x 2  0
2
Or,
2
 dy  dy
Or, (2 y  x )   4 xy
2 2
 x 2  0 ; which is the required
 
dx dx
equation.

Example (1.17): Find the differential equation of all circles passing

through origin and having their centres on the x-axis.
Solution: If (h, 0) be the centre, then the radius will also be h as the
circle passes through the origin. Therefore, its equation is
(x – h)2 + (y – 0)2 = h2
Or, x2 + y2 = 2hx . . . (i)

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 Introduction

Differentiating (i) with respect to x, we have,

dy
2x + 2y = 2h
dx
dy x2  y2 x2  y2
Or, 2x + 2y = [From (i), 2h = ]
dx x x
dy
Or, 2xy = x2 + y2 – 2x2
dx
dy y2  x2
Or, = ; which is the required differential equation.
dx 2 xy

Example (1.18): Find the differential equation of the system of curves

y  ax 2  b cos nx  c ; where a, b, c are arbitrary constants.
Solution: Given that, y  ax 2  b cos nx  c . . . (i)
Differentiating equation (i) with respect to x, we get,
y1 = 2ax – bn sin nx . . . (ii)
Again differentiating equation (ii) with respect to x, we get,
y 2 = 2a – bn2 cos nx . . . (iii)
Again differentiating equation (iii) with respect to x, we get,
y 3 = bn3 sin nx . . . (iv)
y3
From equation (iv), we get, b = . . . (v)
n 3 sin nx
From equation (iii), we have, 2a = y 2 + bn2 cos nx
y
Or, 2a = y 2 + 3 3 n2 cos nx [Using eqn. (v)]
n sin nx
cos nx
Or, 2a = y 2 + y 3 . . . (vi)
n sin nx
Putting the values of b and 2a in equation (ii), we get,
cos nx y
y1 = { y 2 + y 3 }.x – { 3 3 }.n sin nx
n sin nx n sin nx

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 Introduction

y3 nx cos nx  y3 sin nx
Or, y1 – x y 2 =
n 2 sin nx
y (nx cos nx  sin nx)
Or, y1 – x y 2 = 3
n 2 sin nx
Or, (nx cos nx  sin nx) y3  (n 2 x sin nx) y 2  (n 2 sin nx) y1  0
d3y d2y dy
Or, (nx cos nx  sin nx) 3
 ( n 2
x sin nx ) 2
 (n 2 sin nx) 0
dx dx dx
This is the required differential equation.

4
Example (1.19): Show that, y  cx  is the general solution, y = x + 4
c
is a particular solution and y2 = 16x is a singular solution of the
2
 dy  dy
differential equation x   y 4  0.
 dx  dx
dy d 4
Solution: First part: Here, = ( cx  ) = c
dx dx c
2
 dy  dy 4
Now, x   y  4 = xc2 – ( cx  )c + 4 = 0
 dx  dx c
4
So, y  cx  is a solution of the given differential equation; but it
c
contains 1 arbitrary constant c and the given differential equation is of
first order. That is, number of arbitrary constants is equal to the order of
4
the differential equation. Therefore, y  cx  is the general solution
c
of the given equation.
dy d
Second part: Here, = (x + 4) = 1;
dx dx
2
 dy  dy
Now, x   y  4 = x.1 –(x + 4).1 + 4 = 0
 dx  dx

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 Introduction

So, y = x + 4 is a solution of the given differential equation; but putting

c=1 in the general solution, we get this solution. Therefore, it is a
particular solution of the given equation.
Third part: Given that, y2 = 16x => y = 4 x
dy d 2
Now, = (4 x ) =
dx dx x
2
 2 
2
 dy  dy 2
And x   y  4 = x   – 4 x . +4=0
 dx  dx  x x
So, y2 = 16x is a solution of the given differential equation; but it can not
be found from the general solution giving any particular value of
arbitrary constant, c. Therefore, y2 = 16x is a singular solution of the
given differential equation.

1.8 Exercise:
1. Define with examples (i) Differential equation, (ii) Ordinary
differential equation, (iii) Partial differential equation
2. Distinguish ordinary differential equations from partial
differential equations.
3. What do you mean by order and degree of a differential
equation? Is there any difference between order and degree of a
differential equation?
4. Define with examples (i) General solution, (ii) Particular
solution.
5. Discuss the differences of general and particular solutions of a
differential equation.
6. Which are ordinary or partial differential equations?
d2y dy
(i) 2
 5  6y  0 [Answer: ordinary]
dx dx
(ii) sec2x tan y dx + sec2y tan x dy = 0 [Answer: ordinary]
u
(iii)  x2 y [Answer: partial]
x
 2u  2u  2u
(iv)   0 [Answer: partial]
x 2 y 2 z 2

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 Introduction

7. What are the order and degree of the following differential

equations?
d2y
(i) y0 [Answer: order = 2, degree = 1]
dx 2
d2y dy
(ii) 2
 5  6y  0 [Answer: order = 2, degree = 1]
dx dx
d2y dy
(iii) x 2 2  xy  x 2  x 2  2 [Answer: order
dx dx
= 2, degree = 1]
2
 dy  dy
(iv) (2 y  x )   4 xy
2 2
 x 2  0 [Answer: order =
 
dx dx
1, degree = 2]
d3y d2y dy
(v) (nx cos nx  sin nx) 3
 ( n 2
x sin nx ) 2
 (n 2 sin nx) 0
dx dx dx
[Answer: order = 3, degree = 1]
3
d2y  dy 
(vi)  x   y  0 [Answer: order = 2, degree = 1]
 dx 
2
dx
(vii) sec2x tan y dx + sec2y tan x dy = 0 [Answer: order = 1,
degree = 1]
dy /// d 3 y
(viii) 3
(y )  y  (y )  y  x ; [ y  , y  3 ]
/// 4 5 / 2 /

dx dx
[Answer: order = 3, degree = 20]
8. Show that x + y + 1 = 0 is a solution of the differential equation
(x2 – y2)dx – (x – y)dy = 0.
9. Prove that e6x + e2x is a solution of y// – 8y/ +12y = 0;
dy // d 2 y
[Here, y/ = ,y = ]
dx dx 2
10. Show that (i) eax, (ii) ebx, (iii) Aeax, (iv) Bebx, (v) Aeax + Bebx,
(vi) 3eax – 5ebx are solution of the differential equation
d2y dy
2
 (a  b)  aby  0 .
dx dx

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 Introduction

d2y dy
11. If y1 and y2 are two solutions of 2
 a  by  0 then
dx dx
show that (i) By1, (ii) Ay2, (iii) y1 + y2 are also solution of that
differential equation. Here, a, b, A, B are constants.
12. Show that y = Ae-2x + Be-3x is the general solution of the
d2y dy
differential equation 2
 5  6 y  0 ; here, A and B are
dx dx
arbitrary constants.
3
13. Show that, y  cx  is the general solution, y = 3x +1 is a
c
particular solution and y2 = 12x is a singular solution of the
2
 dy  dy
differential equation x   y 3  0.
 dx  dx
14. Form a differential equation of the straight line, y = mx.
dy
[Answer: y = x ]
dx
15. Find a differential equation from the relation y = Acos x + Bsin x
// d2y //
[Answer: y + y = 0; here, y = ]
dx 2
16. Settle a differential equation of the circle, x2 + y2 = a2
[Answer: xdx + ydy = 0]
17. Form a differential equation of y = a logx + b.
[Answer: xy// + y/ = 0]
18. Form a differential equation of the curve, r = a + bcos
d 2r dr
[Answer:  cot  . ]
d 2
d

12