DIFFERENTIAL EQUATION NOTES N

In Mathematics, a differential equation is an equation that contains one or more functions

with its derivatives. The derivatives of the function define the rate of change of a function at a

point. It is mainly used in fields such as physics, engineering, biology and so on. The primary

purpose of the differential equation is the study of solutions that satisfy the equations and the

properties of the solutions.

One of the easiest ways to solve the differential equation is by using explicit formulas. In this
article, let us discuss the definition, types, methods to solve the differential equation, order and
degree of the differential equation, ordinary differential equations with real-word examples and
a solved problem.

Differential Equation Definition

A differential equation is an equation which contains one or more terms and the derivatives
of one variable (i.e., dependent variable) with respect to the other variable (i.e., independent
variable)

dy/dx = f(x)

Here “x” is an independent variable and “y” is a dependent variable

For example, dy/dx = 5x

A differential equation contains derivatives which are either partial derivatives or ordinary
derivatives. The derivative represents a rate of change, and the differential equation describes
a relationship between the quantity that is continuously varying with respect to the change in
another quantity. There are a lot of differential equations formulas to find the solution of the
derivatives.

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Order of Differential Equation
The order of the differential equation is the order of the highest order derivative present in the
equation. Here some examples for different orders of the differential equation are given.

• dy/dx = 3x + 2 , The order of the equation is 1

• (d2y/dx2)+ 2 (dy/dx)+y = 0. The order is 2
• (dy/dt)+y = kt. The order is 1

First Order Differential Equation

You can see in the first example, it is a first-order differential equation which has degree equal
to 1. All the linear equations in the form of derivatives are in the first order. It has only the
first derivative such as dy/dx, where x and y are the two variables and is represented as:

dy/dx = f(x, y) = y’

Second-Order Differential Equation

The equation which includes the second-order derivative is the second-order differential
equation. It is represented as;

d/dx(dy/dx) = d2y/dx2 = f”(x) = y”

Degree of Differential Equation

The degree of the differential equation is the power of the highest order derivative, where the
original equation is represented in the form of a polynomial equation in derivatives such as
y’,y”, y”’, and so on.

Suppose (d2y/dx2)+ 2 (dy/dx)+y = 0 is a differential equation, so the degree of this equation

here is 1. See some more examples here:

• dy/dx + 1 = 0, degree is 1
• (y”’)3 + 3y” + 6y’ – 12 = 0, degree is 3
• (dy/dx) + cos(dy/dx) = 0; it is not a polynomial equation in y′ and the degree of such a
differential equation can not be defined.

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Note:
Order and degree (if defined) of a differential equation are always positive integers.

Types of Differential Equations

Differential equations can be divided into several types namely

• Ordinary Differential Equations

• Partial Differential Equations
• Linear Differential Equations
• Nonlinear differential equations
• Homogeneous Differential Equations
• Nonhomogeneous Differential Equations

Ordinary Differential Equation

An ordinary differential equation involves function and its derivatives. It contains only one
independent variable and one or more of its derivatives with respect to the variable.

The order of ordinary differential equations is defined as the order of the highest derivative that
occurs in the equation. The general form of n-th order ODE is given as

F(x, y, y’,…., yn ) = 0

Differential Equations Solutions

A function that satisfies the given differential equation is called its solution. The solution that
contains as many arbitrary constants as the order of the differential equation is called a general
solution. The solution free from arbitrary constants is called a particular solution. There exist
two methods to find the solution of the differential equation.

1. Separation of variables
2. Integrating factor

Separation of the variable is done when the differential equation can be written in the form
of dy/dx = f(y)g(x) where f is the function of y only and g is the function of x only. Taking an
initial condition, rewrite this problem as 1/f(y)dy= g(x)dx and then integrate on both sides.

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Integrating factor technique is used when the differential equation is of the form dy/dx +
p(x)y = q(x) where p and q are both the functions of x only.

First-order differential equation is of the form y’+ P(x)y = Q(x). where P and Q are both
functions of x and the first derivative of y. The higher-order differential equation is an equation
that contains derivatives of an unknown function which can be either a partial or ordinary
derivative. It can be represented in any order.

We also provide a differential equation solver to find the solutions for related problems.

Solving Differential Equations

The solution of a differential equation – General and particular will use
integration in some steps to solve it. We will be learning how to solve a
differential equation with the help of solved examples. Also learn to the
general solution for first-order and second-order differential equation. Let
us first understand to solve a simple case here:

Consider the following equation: 2x2 – 5x – 7 = 0. The solution to this equation

is a number i.e. -1 or 7/2 which satisfies the above equation. Which means
putting the value of variable x as -1 or 7/2, we get Left-hand side (LHS) equal
to Right-hand side (RHS) i.e 0. But in the case of the differential equation, the
solution is a function that satisfies the given differential equation. That
means we need to differentiate the given equation first and then find the
solutions for it. The differential equations examined are of the form y’ = /(x,
y) (equations of higher orders could be reduced to equations of the first
order). The function f is considered to be analytic in a adequately large
neighbourhood of the initial point (x0,y0).

General Solution of a Differential Equation

When the arbitrary constant of the general solution takes some unique
value, then the solution becomes the particular solution of the equation.

By using the boundary conditions (also known as the initial conditions) the
particular solution of a differential equation is obtained.

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So, to obtain a particular solution, first of all, a general solution is found out
and then, by using the given conditions the particular solution is generated.

Suppose,

dy/dx = ex + cos2x + 2x3

Then we know, the general solution is:

y = ex + sin2x/2 + x4/2 + C

Now, x = 0, y = 5 substituting this value in the general solution we get,

5 = e0 + sin(0)/2 + (0)4/2 + C

C=4

Hence, substituting the value of C in the general solution we obtain,

y = ex + sin2x/2 + x4/2 + 4

This represents the particular solution of the given equation.

General Solution for First Order and Second Order

If we have to solve a first-order differential equation by variable separable
method, we need have to mention an arbitrary constant before we start
performing integration. Hence, we can see that a solution of the first-
order differential equation has at least one fixed arbitrary constant after
simplification.

Variable separable differential Equations: The differential equations which

are represented in terms of (x,y) such as the x-terms and y-terms can be
ordered to different sides of the equation (including delta terms). Thus, each
variable after separation can be integrated easily to find the solution of the
differential equation. The equations can be written as:

f(x)dx+g(y)dy=0, where f(x) and g(y) are either constants or functions of x

and y respectively.

Similarly, the general solution of a second-order differential equation will

consist of two fixed arbitrary constants and so on. The general solution
geometrically interprets an m-parameter group of curves.

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Particular Solution of a Differential Equation
A Particular Solution is a solution of a differential equation taken from the
General Solution by allocating specific values to the random constants. The
requirements for determining the values of the random constants can be
presented to us in the form of an Initial-Value Problem, or Boundary
Conditions, depending on the query.

Singular Solution
The Singular Solution of a given differential equation is also a type of
Particular Solution but it can’t be taken from the General Solution by
designating the values of the random constants.

Differential Equations Example

Example: dy/dx = x2

Solution: dy = x2 dx

Integrating both sides, we get

⇒∫dy=∫x2dx

If we solve this equation to figure out the value of y we get

y = x3/3 + C

where C is an arbitrary constant.

In the above-obtained solution, we see that y is a function of x. On

substituting this value of y in the given differential equation, both the sides
of the differential equation becomes equal.

Differential Equations Practice Problems with

Solutions
The solution obtained above after integration consists of a function and an
arbitrary constant. This represents a general solution of the given equation.

Let the solution be represented as:

y=ϕ(x)+C

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It represents the solution curve or the integral curve of the given differential
equation.

Thus, we can say that a general solution always involves a constant C.

Let us consider some more examples:

Solved Examples
To get a better insight into the topic, let us have a look at the following
example.

Example – Find out the particular solution of the differential equation ln

dy/dx = e4y + ln x, given that for x = 0, y = 0.

Solution –dy/dx = e4y + ln x

dy/dx = e4y × eln x

dy/dx = e4y × x

1/e4ydy = x dx

e-4ydy = x dx

Integrating both the sides with respect to y and x respectively we get,

e−4y/−4=x2/2+C

This represents the general solution of the differential equation given.

Now, it is also given that y(0)=0, substituting this value in the above general
solution we get,

e0/−4=02/2+C

⇒C=−1/4

Hence, the above equation can be rewritten as

e−4y/−4=x2/2–14

⇒e−4y=−2x2+1

⇒ln(e−4y)=ln(1−2x2)

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⇒−4y=ln(1−2x2)

⇒y=–ln(1−2x2)/4

which is the particular solution of the differential equation given.

A differential equation is an equation of the form

dydx=g(x),wherey=f(x)

General equations involve Dependent and Independent variables, but those

equation which involves variables as well as derivative of dependent
variable (y) with respect to independent variable (x) are known as
Differential Equation.

Solving A Separable Differential Equation

The solution of a differential equation is a function, that represents a
relationship between the variables, independent of derivatives.

Such as:

Given differential equation :

dydx=cos⁡x

Solution :

y=sin⁡x+c

(thus derivative is eliminated)

The solution of a differential equation is also known as its primitive. In the

upcoming discussions, we will find out the solution of first order and first
degree differential equations.

Generally, there are three methods to solve first order and first degree
differential equation. We will be discussing only solution of differential
equations with separation of variables.

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Variable Separable Differential Equations
The differential equations which are expressed in terms of (x,y) such that,
the x-terms and y-terms can be separated to different sides of the equation
(including delta terms). Thus each variable separated can be integrated
easily to form the solution of differential equation.

The equations can be written as

f(x)dx+g(y)dy=0

where

f(x)

and

g(y)

are either constants or functions of

and

respectively.

In simpler terms all the differential equations in which all the terms involving

x and dx

can be written on one side of the equation and the terms involving

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and

dy

on the other side are known as variable separable differential equations.

Examples
Lets Work Out-

Example – Solve
dydx=x3+3y2+1

Solution –
(y2+1)dy=(x3+3)dx

Integrating both the sides we get,

∫(y2+1)dy=∫(x3+3)dx

y33+y=x44+3x+c

y33+y–x44–3x=c

It is the required solution.

Example- Arjun is riding his bike at an initial velocity of 10 m/s. To reach his home
at time he continuously increases his velocity at the rate of
Missing \end{array}Missing \end{array}

in what time will his velocity be 2.718 times of what it is now?

Solution- Let the velocity of Arjun be v at any time t. Then

dvdt=10100×V

dvdt=V10

Separating the variables we get

1Vdv=110dt

Integrating both the sides we get;

lnV=t10+c

Where c is any arbitrary constant;

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V=et10×ec

V=Cet10

We know at
t=0,V=10m/s

So the equation becomes

V=
10et10

Now
V=2.718×10ms

Substituting this value we get,

27.18=10et10

⇒et10=2.718

⇒lnet10=ln2.718

⇒t10=1

⇒t=10seconds

Solving Exact Differential Equations

In the equation

f(x)dx+g(y)dy=0

If

∂df(x)∂dx

∂dg(y)∂dx

then the equation is called as exact differential equation. In the first integral variable y
is taken as a constant and in the second integral variable x is taken as constant.

Thus the solution is given by

∫f(x)dx+∫g(y)dy=c

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Lets Work Out-

Example- Solve the following :-

(x3+3xy2+25)dx+(y3+3yx2+25)dy=0

Solution-
∂df(x)∂dx=3x2+3y2

∂dg(y)∂dx=3x2+3y2

Since
∂df(x)∂dx=∂dg(y)∂dx

, it is an exact differential equation.

Its solution is
∫f(x)dx+∫g(y)dy=c

⇒
c=∫(x3+3xy2+25)dx+∫(y3+25)dy

⇒
c=x44+y44+32x2y2+25(x+y)

⇒
c=x4+y4+6x2y2+100(x+y)

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Applications
Differential equations have several applications in different fields such as applied mathematics,
science, and engineering. Apart from the technical applications, they are also used in solving
many real life problems. Let us see some differential equation applications in real-time.

1) Differential equations describe various exponential growths and decays.

2) They are also used to describe the change in return on investment over time.

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3) They are used in the field of medical science for modelling cancer growth or the spread of
disease in the body.

4) Movement of electricity can also be described with the help of it.

5) They help economists in finding optimum investment strategies.

6) The motion of waves or a pendulum can also be described using these equations.

The various other applications in engineering are: heat conduction analysis, in physics it can
be used to understand the motion of waves. The ordinary differential equation can be utilized
as an application in the engineering field for finding the relationship between various parts of
the bridge.

Now, go through the differential equations examples in real-life applications .

Linear Differential Equations Real World Example

To understand Differential equations, let us consider this simple example. Have you ever
thought about why a hot cup of coffee cools down when kept under normal conditions?
According to Newton, cooling of a hot body is proportional to the temperature difference
between its temperature T and the temperature T0 of its surrounding. This statement in terms of
mathematics can be written as:

dT/dt ∝ (T – T0)…………(1)

This is the form of a linear differential equation.

Introducing a proportionality constant k, the above equation can be written as:

dT/dt = k(T – T0) …………(2)

Here, T is the temperature of the body and t is the time,

T0 is the temperature of the surrounding,

dT/dt is the rate of cooling of the body

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Eg: dy/dx = 3x

Here, the differential equation contains a derivative that involves a variable (dependent
variable, y) w.r.t another variable (independent variable, x). The types of differential equations
are :

1. An ordinary differential equation contains one independent variable and its derivatives. It is
frequently called ODE. The general definition of the ordinary differential equation is of the
form: Given an F, a function os x and y and derivative of y, we have

F(x, y, y’ …..y^(n1)) = y (n) is an explicit ordinary differential equation of order n.

2. Partial differential equation that contains one or more independent variables.

Solved problem
Question:

Verify that the function y = e-3x is a solution to the differential equation

d2ydx2+dydx–6y=0
Solution:

The function given is y = e-3x . We differentiate both sides of the equation with respect to x,

dydx=–3e−3x
Now we again differentiate the above equation with respect to x,

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d2ydx2=9e−3x
We substitute the values of dy/dx, d2y/dx2 and y in the differential equation given in the
question,

On left hand side we get, LHS = 9e-3x + (-3e-3x) – 6e-3x

= 9e-3x – 9e-3x = 0 (which is equal to RHS)

Therefore, the given function is a solution to the given differential equation.

Differential Equations Practice Questions

1. Find the order and degree, if defined, for the differential equation (dy/dx) – sin x = 0.
2. Verify that the function y = a cos x + b sin x, where, a, b ∈ R is a solution of the
differential equation (d2y/dx2) + y = 0.
3. Verify that the function y = Ax, where, a, b ∈ R is a solution of the differential equation
xy’ = y (x ≠ 0)
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Frequently Asked Questions on Differential Equations

Q1

What is differential Equation?

In Mathematics, a differential equation is an equation with one or more derivatives of a

function. The derivative of the function is given by dy/dx. In other words, it is defined as the
equation that contains derivatives of one or more dependent variables with respect to one or
more independent variables.
Q2

Mention the various types of differential equations.

The different types of differential equations are:

Ordinary Differential Equations
Partial Differential Equations
Homogeneous Differential Equations
Non-homogeneous Differential Equations
Linear Differential Equations
Nonlinear Differential Equations

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Q3

What is the order of the differential Equation?

The order of the highest order derivative present in the differential equation is called the order
of the equation. If the order of the differential equation is 1, then it is called the first order. If
the order of the equation is 2, then it is called a second-order, and so on.
Q4

What is the use of a differential equation?

The main purpose of the differential equation is to compute the function over its entire domain.
It is used to describe the exponential growth or decay over time. It has the ability to predict the
world around us. It is widely used in various fields such as Physics, Chemistry, Biology,
Economics and so on.

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