DIFFERENTIAL EQUATION

DIFFERENTIAL EQUATION

1. INTRODUCTION d2y
(ii) 2
p 2 y is the differential equation of the
Differential equation constitute a very important part of dx
mathematics as it has many applications in real life. second order because maximum derivative of y
Various laws of physics are often in the form of equations
d2 y
involving rate of change of one quantity with respect to w.r.t x is
another. As the mathematical equivalent of a rate is a dx 2
derivative, differential equation arise very naturally in
2
real life and methods for solving them acquire paramount § d3 y · § dy ·
3

importance.
(iii) ¨¨ 3 ¸¸  3 ¨ ¸  2 0 is the differential
© dx ¹ © dx ¹
Definition
equation of the third order because maximum
An equation involving the dependent variable and
independent variable and also the derivatives of the d3 y
derivative of y w.r.t x is
dependable variable is known as differential equation. dx 3
For example: 2.2 Degree
dy x d2 y
(i) (ii)  p2 y The degree of a differential equation is the degree of the
dx y (1  x1/ 3 )
1/ 3
dx 2 highest differential coefficient when the equation has
3/ 2
been made rational and integral as far as the differential
ª § dy ·2 º d2 y 2
coefficients are concerned.
2 § dy ·
(iii) «1  ¨ dx ¸ » 3 (iv) x ¨ ¸ y2  1
¬« © ¹ ¼» dx 2 © dx ¹ For example:
dy x
Differential equations which involve only one (i) is the differential equation of
dx y1/ 3 (1  x1/ 3 )
independent variable are called ordinary differential
equation. first degree, because power of the highest order
dy
2. ORDER AND DEGREE OF DIFFERENTIAL derivative is 1.
dx
EQUATIONS
2
§ d3 y · § dy ·
3

2.1 Order (ii) ¨¨ 3 ¸¸  3 ¨ ¸  2 0 is the differential

© dx ¹ © dx ¹

The order of a differential equation is the order of the equation of second degree, because power of
highest derivative involved in the differential equation
d3 y
For example: highest order deriavative is 2.
dx 3
3 2
§ dy · § dy · ª § dy · 2 º
2/ 3
(i) ¨ ¸  ¨ ¸  4x 0 is the differential «1  ¨ ¸ »
d2y
© dx ¹ © dx ¹ (iii) 3 is the differential
«¬ © dx ¹ »¼ dx 2
equation of the first order because maximum
equation of third degree, because power of highest
dy
derivative of y with respect to x is
dx d2y
order devivative is 3 (after cubing)
dx 2
 DIFFERENTIAL EQUATION

Illustration 1: Find the order and degree of the following Illustration 2 : Find the differential equation of the family of
differential equations. all circles which pass through the origin and whose
centre lie on y–axis
d2y dy Sol. Let the equation of the circle be
(i) 3 3
dx 2 dx x2 + y2 + 2gx + 2fy + c = 0
If it passes through (0, 0), then c = 0
5/3
d2y ­° § dy ·4 ½°
®1  ¨ ¸ ¾ ? The equation of circle is x2 + y2 + 2gx + 2fy = 0
(ii)
dx 2 °¯ © dx ¹ ¿° Since the centre of the circle lies on y–axis then g = 0
? The equation of the circle is
dy
(iii) y px  a 2 p 2  b2 where p x2 + y2 + 2fy = 0 ...(i)
dx
This represents family of circles.
Sol. (i) The given differential equation can be written as
Differentiating, we get
3 2
§d y· 2
§ dy ·
¨ 2¸ ¨  3¸ dy dy
© dx ¹ © dx ¹ 2x  2y  2f 0 ...(ii)
dx dx
Hence order = 2, degree = 3
(ii) The given differential equation can be written as From (i) and (ii), we get

3 5 dy
§ d2 y · ª § dy · 4 º or, (x 2  y2 )  2xy 0 Which is the required
¨ 2¸ «1  ¨ ¸ » dx
© dx ¹ ¬« © dx ¹ ¼» differential equation.
Hence order = 2, degree = 3
(iii) The given differential equation can be written as 4. SOLUTION OF A DIFFERENTIAL EQUATION
2 2
§ dy · § dy · The solution of the differential equation is a relation is a
¨yx ¸ a 2 ¨ ¸  b2
© dx ¹ © dx ¹ relation between the independent and dependent variable
free from derivatives satisfying the given differential
Hence order = 1, degree = 2 equation.
Thus the solution of dy/dx = m could be obtained by
3. FORMATION OF ORDINARY DIFFERENTIAL simply integrating both sides i.e., y = mx + c, where c is
arbitrary constant.
EQUATION
(a) General solution (or complete premitive)
An ordinary differential equation is formed in an
The general solution of a differential equation is the
attempt to eliminate certain arbitrary constants from a
relation between the variables (not involving the
relation in the variables and constants. Consider an
derivatives) which contain the same number of the
equation containing n arbitrary constants.
arbitrary constants as the order of the differential
Differentiating this equation n times we get n additional
equation.
equations containing n arbitrary constants and
derivatives. Eliminating n arbitrary constants from the Thus the general solution of the differential equation
above (n + 1) equations, we obtain differential equation d2 y
involving nth derivative. 4y is y = A sin2x + B cos2x, where A and B are
dx 2
Thus if an equation contains n arbitrary constants, the
the constants.
resulting differential equation obtained by eliminating
these constants will be a differential equation of nth order. (b) Particular solution or Integral
i.e., an equation of the form A solution which is obtained by giving particular values
to the arbitrary constants in the general solution is called
§ dy d 2 y dn y · a particular solution.
I ¨ x, y, , 2 , ....... n ¸ 0
© dx dx dx ¹
 DIFFERENTIAL EQUATION

A d3 y dy
Illustration 3: Show that v  B is the general solution of i.e.,  7  6y 0 , which is the required differential
r dx 3 dx
equation
d 2 v 2 dv
the second order differential equation  0,
dr 2 r dr
where A and B are arbitrary constant. 5. METHOD OF SOLVING AN EQUATION OF THE
FIRST ORDER AND FIRST DEGREE
A
Sol. Given v B A differential equation of the first order and first degree
r
can be written in the form
d2v 2A
Differentiating twice ...(i) dy
dr 2 r3 f (x, y)
dx
d 2 v 2 dv 2A 2 § A · 2A 2A or, M dx + N dy = 0, where M and N are functions
From (i)   ¨ ¸  3 =0
dr 2 r dr r3 r © r 2 ¹ r3 r of x and y
Method – 1
A (i) Variable Separation:
Putting A = 4, B = 5 in v  B we get a particular
r The general form of such an equation is
solution of the differential equation f(x)dx + f(y)dy = 0 ...(i)
Integrating, we get
2
d v 2 dv 4
 0 is v 5. ³ f (x)dx  ³ f (y)dy c which is the solution of (i)
dr 2 r dr r
Illustration 4: Show that y = aex + be2x + ce–3x is a solution of
(ii) Solution of differential equation of the type
d3 y dy
the equation 3  7  6y 0 dy
dx dx f (ax  by  c) :
dx
Sol. We have
dy
y = aex + be2x + ce–3x ...(i) Consider the differential equation f (ax  by  c)
dx
Differentiating, we get
...(i)
y1 = aex + 2be2x – 3ce–3x ...(ii)
Where f(ax + by + c) is some function of ax + by + c.
? y1 – y = be2x – 4ce–3x ...(iii)
Let z = ax + by + c
Differentiating (ii), we get
y2 = aex + 4be2x + 9ce–3x dz dy
? ab
? y2 – y1 = 2be2x + 12ce–3x ...(iv) dx dx
Now, (iv) – 2 (iii) Ÿ y2 – y1 – 2(y1 –y) = 20ce–3x
dz
or, y2 – 3y1 + 2y = 20ce–3x ...(v) a
dy dx
or,
Differentiating, y2 = aex + 4be2x + 9ce–3x, we get dx b
y3 = aex + 8be2x – 27ce–3x
Now y3 – 3y2 + 2y1 = – 60ce–3x ...(vi) dz
a dz
And (vi) + 3(v) Ÿ y3 – 3y2 + 2y1 + 3(y2 – 3y1 + 2y) = 0 From (i) dx f (z) or, b f (z)  a
b dx
or, y3 – 7y1 + 6y = 0
 DIFFERENTIAL EQUATION

dz i.e., xc log t  1 This is the required general

or, dx ...(ii)
b f (z)  a solution.

In the differential equation (ii), the variables x and z are

(iii) Solution of differential equation of the type
separated.
Integrating, we get dy a1x  b1 y  c1 a b1 c1
, where 1 z
dx a 2 x  b2 y  c2 a2 b2 c2
dx
³ b f (z)  a ³ dx  c dy a1x  b1 y  c1 a b1 c1
Here where 1 z ...(i)
dx a 2 x  b2 y  c2 a2 b2 c2
dx
or, ³ b f (z)  a x  c , where z = ax + by + c
a1 b1
Let O (say)
This represents the general solution of the differential a2 b2
equation (i)
? a1 O a 2 , b1 O b2
dy
Illustration 5. Solve (x  y)2 a2
dx dy Oa 2 x  Ob2 y  c1
From (i),
dx a 2 x  b2 y  c2
Sol. Putting x – y = v

dy dv O (a 2 x  b 2 y)  c1
1 v2 ...(ii)
Ÿ Ÿ dx dv , variable have been a 2 x  b 2 y  c2
dx dx v  a2
2

separated Let z = a2x + b2y

v2
Integrating, we get ³ dx ³ v2  a 2 dv dz dy dy
dz
 a2
? a 2  b2 Ÿ dx ...(iii)
dx dx dx b2
x ya
or, 2y  k a log
xya
dz
 a2
Oz  c1
dy From (ii) and (iii), we get dx
Illustration 6. Solve, sin (x  y)  cos(x  y) b2 z  c2
dx
Sol. Let z = x + y dz b 2 Oz  c1 ) O b 2 z  b 2 c1  a 2 z  a 2 c2
or,  a2
dz dy dy dz dx z  c2 z  c2
? 1 Ÿ 1
dx dx dx dx
z  c2
or, dx dz , where x and z are
dz Ob 2  a 2 )z  b 2c1  a 2 c2
 1 sin z  cos z
dx seperated
Integrating, we get
dz
or, dx
sin z  cos z  1 z  c2
Integrating, we get
xc ³ Ob 2  a 2 ) z  b 2 c1  a 2 c 2
dz where z = a2x + b2y

dz dt z
³ dx ³ sin z  cos z  1 ³ t  1 , putting t tan
2
 DIFFERENTIAL EQUATION

Method – 2 From (i),

(i) Homogeneous differential equation:
dv vx(2vx  x) v(2v  1)
A function f(x, y) is called homogeneous function of vx
degree n if dx x(2vx  x) 2v  1
f(Ox, Oy) = On f(x, y)
dx dx
For example: Ÿ 2dv  2 0
(a) 2 2 3
f(x, y) = x y – xy is a homogeneous function of degree
x x
four, since Integrating, we get
f(Ox, Oy) = (O x ) (O y ) – (Ox) (O y )
2 2 2 2 3 3

2v + log v + log x2 = log k or, xy ke2y / x

= O4 (x2y2 – xy3)
= O4 f(x, y) (ii) Differential equation reducible to homogeneous forms:

x3 § y· dy ax  by  c a b
(b) f(x, y) = x e 
2 x/y
 y2 log ¨ ¸ is a homogeneous Equation of the form where z
y ©x¹ dx a cx  bcy  cc a c bc
function of degree two, since can be reduced to homogeneous form by changing the
variables x, y to x c, y c by equations x x c + h and
Ox 3 3
§ Oy ·
f (Ox, Oy) (O 2 x 2 ) eOx / Oy   (O 2 y 2 ) log ¨ ¸ y yc + k where h and k are constants to be chosen so
Oy © Ox ¹
as to make the given equation homogeneous, we have

ª x3 § y ·º dx = dx c and dy = dyc
O 2 « x 2 e x / y   y 2 log ¨ ¸ »
¬ y © x ¹¼
? The given equation becomes

O 2 f (x, y) dyc a(xc  h)  b(yc  k)  c

dxc a c(x c  h)  bc(yc  k)  cc
A differential equation of the form
dy
f (x, y) , where
dx
f(x, y) is a homogoneous polynomial of degree zero is
ax c  byc  (ah  bk  c)
called a homogeneous differential equation. Such a cxc  bcyc  (a c h  bc k  cc)

y x Now, we choose h and k so that

equations are solved by substituting v or and
x y ah + bk + c = 0
then seperating the variables.
and a c h + b c k + cc = 0

dy y(2y  x) From these equation we get the values of of h and k in

Illustration 7 : Solve ...(i) terms of the coefficients.
dx x(2y  x)
Then the given equation reduces to
Sol. Since each of the functions y(2y – x) and x(2y + x) is a
homogeneous function of degree 2, so the given equation dyc ax c  byc
is a homogeneous differential equation. dx c a cx c  bcyc
? Putting y = vx
Which is the homogeneous form.
dy dv
Differentiating w.r.t x, we get vx
dx dx
 DIFFERENTIAL EQUATION

Method – 3 1
1  1
e ³ 2x
dx log x
(i) Linear differential equation: Hence I.F e 2
...(ii)
x
A differential equation is said to be linear if the
dependent variable y and its derivative occur in the first
3 5/2
degree. From (i) and (ii), we get y x  x log x  c x
2
dy
An equation of the form  Py Q ...(i)
dx (ii) Differential equation reducible to the linear form:
where P and Q are functions of x only or constant is called Sometimes equations which are not linear can be reduced
a linear equation of the first order to the linear form by suitable transformation.

dx dy
Similarly  Px Q is a linear differential equation Here, f c (y)  f (y) P (x) Q (x) ...(i)
dy dx
where P and Q are functions of y only. To get the general Let, f(y) = u Ÿ f c (y) dy du
solution of the above equations we shall determine a
function R of x called Integrating function (I.F). We shall Then (i) reduces to
multiply both sides of the given equation by R
du
 u P(x) Q (x) Which is of the linear differential
e³
P dx dx
? where, R I.F ...(iii)
equation form.
From (i) and (iii), we get
Illustration 9: Solve sec 2 T dT  tan T(1  r tan T) dr 0
dy
e³  Pye³ Q.e ³
Pdx P dx P dx
. or, Sol. The given equation can be written as
dx
dT tan T r tan2 T
d § ³ P dx · ³ P dx 
¨ ye ¸ Q.e dr sec 2 T sec2 T
dx © ¹
Integrating, we get § sec 2 T · dT 1
or, ¨ ¸  r
© tan 2
T ¹ dr tan T
ye³ ³
P dx P dx
³ Q.e dx  c is the required solution.
dT
Note: We remember the solution of the above equation as or, cos ec 2 T  cot T r ...(i)
dr
y (I.F) ³ Q (I.F) dx  c Let cot T u

Ÿ  cos ec2 T dT du
dy
Illustration 8 : Solve 2x y  6x 5 / 2  2 x Then (i) reduces to
dx
Sol. The given equation can be written as du du
 u r or, u r ...(ii)
dr dr
dy § 1 · 1
 ¨ ¸ y 3x 3/ 2  ...(i) Which is a linear differential equation.
dx © 2x ¹ x
I.F e ³
1 dr
So, er ...(iii)
dy
This is the form of  Py Q Form (ii) and (iii), we get
dx
u er  ³ re  r dr re r  ³ e r dr , by parts
 DIFFERENTIAL EQUATION

re r  e r  c or, u r  1  ce r Illustration 10 : Solve cos2 x

dy
 y tan 2x cos 4 x , where
dx
or, cot T r  1  cer
S and y § S · 3 3
|x| ¨ ¸
(iii) Extended form of linear equations : 4 ©4¹ 8

Bernoulli’s equation: Sol. The given equation can be written as

dy
dy  y tan 2x sec 2 x cos 2 x
An equation of the form  P y Q yn , where P and dx
dx
dy
Q are function of x alone or constants and n is constant, This is the form of  Py Q
dx
other than 0 and 1, is called a Bernoulli’s equation.
Here P = – tan2x sec2x, Q = cos2x

Here
dy
 P y Q yn ? ³ P dx  ³ tan 2x sec 2 x dx
dx
2 tan x
³ sec 2 x dx
Dividing by yn, we get 1  tan x
2

dt
1 dy
n
1
 P. n 1 Q ³ t
Putting 1 – tan2x = t
y dx y
?  2 tan x sec x dx
2
dt
1 = logt = log (1 – tan2x)
Putting and differentiating w.r.t x,
yn 1
³ P dx
elog (1 tan
2
x)
1  tan 2 x
? I. F. = e
? The solution is
(n  1) dy dv
we get  y (1  tan 2 x) ³ (1  tan x) cos2 x dx  c
2
y n dx dx

sin 2x
1 dy 1 dv
³ cos 2x dx  c 2
c ...(i)
or,
y n dx n  1 dx
S 3 3
Given, At x , y , then 3 3 §1  1 · 3
c
6 8 ¨ ¸
8 © 3¹ 4
dv dy
or, (1  n) y n , the equation becomes or c=0
dx dx
Hence from (i),

dv sin 2x
 (1  n) Pv Q(1  n) y (1  tan 2 x)
dx 2

Which is a linear equation with v as independent

sin 2x
variable. or y
2 (1  tan 2 x)
 DIFFERENTIAL EQUATION

Method – 4

Exact differential equation:

A differential equation is said to be exact if it can be

derived from its solution (primitive) directly by
differentiation, without any elimination, multiplication
etc.

For example, the differential equation x dy + y dx = 0 is

an exact differential equation as it is derived by direct
differentiation for its solution, the function xy = c
Let PT and PN be the tangent and the normal at P(x, y).
Illustration 11 : Solve (1 + xy) y dx + (1 – xy) x dy = 0
Let the tangent at P makes an angle T with the x-axis.
Sol. The given equation can be written as
§ dy ·
Then the slope of the tangent at P tan T ¨ ¸
y dx + xy2 dx + x dy – x2y dy = 0 © dx ¹P
or, (y dx + x dy) + xy (y dx – x dy) = 0
1
or, d (xy) + xy (y dx – x dy) = 0 and the slope of the normal at P  .
§ dy ·
¨ ¸
Dividing by x2y2, we get © dx ¹p

Equation of the tangent at P(x, y) is

d (xy) ydx  x dy
 or,
x 2 y2 xy § dy ·
Y  y ¨ ¸ (X  x)
© dx ¹ P

d (xy) dx dy Equation of the normal at P(x, y) is

 
x 2 y2 x y 1
Yy  (X  x)
§ ·
dy
¨ ¸
Integrating, we get © dx ¹P

1 PG y
  log x  log y c From ' PGT sin T
xy PT PT
? PT = y cosecT (lenght of the tangent)
Which is the required solution.
2
§ dy ·
1 ¨ ¸
Application of differential equations : 1  tan 2 T © dx ¹
y y
tan T dy
In solving some geometrical problems, the following
dx
results are very helpful.

PG y
And, tan T
TG TG
 DIFFERENTIAL EQUATION

Also OP2 = x2 + y2
y
Ÿ TG = y cotT (length of the sub tangent) Given, length of the subnormal = k. OP2
dy
dx dy
or, y k(x 2  y 2 )
dx
PG y
From ' PGN cos T
PN PN dy
or, 2y  2ky2 2kx 2 ...(i)
Ÿ PN = y secT (length of the normal) dx

dy dt
Let y2 = t Ÿ 2y ...(ii)
2 dx dx
§ dy ·
y 1  tan 2 T y 1 ¨ ¸
© dx ¹
From (i) and (ii), we get dt  2kt 2kx 2
dx
GN
tan T Which is a linear differential equation.
y

I.F e ³
2k dx
dy ? e2kx
Ÿ GN y tan T y (length of the sub normal)
dx ? The solution is

t . e 2kx ³ 2kx e2kx dx  c

2
Illustration 12 : If the length of the sub-normal at any point P on
2
the curve is directly proportional to OP , where O is
ª e2kx 2 º
the origin, then form the differential equation of the
family of curves and hence find the family of curves.
2k « x 2
¬

2k 2k ³ x e 2kx dx »
¼

dy ª e2kx 1 ­ e2kx 1
Sol. Here AB = y tanT y ½º
³
2kx
dx 2k « x 2  ®x  e dx ¾»
¬ 2k k ¯ 2k 2k ¿¼

x e 2kx 1 e 2kx
 x 2 e2kx    c or,,
k k 2k

x 1
y2 x 2   2  c e 2kx
k 2k