DIFFERENTIAL EQUATIONS

Riya Goyal

Amity University

August 5, 2023
Introduction
In the chapter on Integral Calculus, we have studied how to find a function
′
f, whose derivative is a function g(say) i.e., f (x) = g (x).
This problem may also be formulated as : For a given function g, find a
function f such that
dy
= g (x), where y = f (x)
dx
This form of an equation is known as differential equations.
Differential equations
Equations involving an independent variable, dependent variable and the
derivatives of dependent variable with respect to independent variable are
called differential equations .
In mechanics, engineering, physical sciences, biological and social sciences,
many times a problem reduces to an equation involving some variable and
their derivatives . In order to find solutions to such problems, the study of
differential equations is very useful.
Example
dy
+x =0 (1)
dx

d 2y
+ 4y = 0 (2)
dx 2

xdy + ydx = 0 (3)

dy a
y =x + dy (4)
dx
dx

d 3y d 2y dy
3
+ 2 2
−5 + 3y = log x (5)
dx dx dx
 
dy dy
+ cos =0 (6)
dx dx
The differential equations which involve a single independent variable are
called ordinary differential equations and the differential equations which
involve more than one independent variable and their partial derivatives are
called partial differential equations.

Order and degree of differential equations

Order The order of a differential equation is the order of the highest
order derivative which occurs in it.
Degree The degree of a differential equation is the degree (or power)
of the highest order derivatives which occurs in it, after the derivatives
have been made free from radicals and fractions.
To find the degree of a differential equation, it is necessary that the
differential equation must be a polynomial equation in derivatives .If the
differential equation is not a polynomial equation in some derivative, then
its degree cannot be defined.
Linear and Non-linear Equations

A differential equation is said to be linear if the dependent variable and its

derivatives occur only in first degree and are not multiplied together,
otherwise it is called non-linear.
Solution of example
Equations 1 and 3 are of first order and first degree and linear equations
Equation 2 is of second order and first degree and linear equations
Equation 4 if of first order and second degree and non-linear
Equation 5 is of third order and first degree and linear equation
Equation 6 is not a polynomial equation in
Determine the order and degree of the following differential
equations and state whether these are linear or non-linear:
1 cos xdx + cos ydy = 0
Solution: order 1, degree 1, non-linear
2 (1 + xy)ydx + (1 - xy)xdy = 0
Solution: order 1, degree 1, non-linear
3
d 2y dy
2
+y − x2 = 0
dx dx

Solution: order 2, degree 1, non-linear

4
4
d 2y
  
dy
+ 3y =0
dx dx 2
Solution: order 2, degree 1, non-linear
5 y" + 3y’2 + 5 = 0
Solution: order 2, degree 1, non-linear