Core ConceptRead this first — the foundation of the topic
Separable equations
Rearrange so all y terms are on one side and all x terms on the other, then integrate both sides.
2
Linear first-order equations
Use the standard form dy/dx + Py = Q, where P and Q are functions of x.
3
Homogeneous equations
Variables can be separated by substitution.
Formula BlockMemorise — at least one formula appears in every paper
Separable form: dy/dx = f(x)g(y)
Solution: ∫(1/g(y))dy = ∫f(x)dx + C
Linear first-order: dy/dx + Py = Q
Integrating Factor = e^(∫P dx)
Solution: y × IF = ∫Q × IF dx + C
Exam PatternsWhat examiners ask — read before attempting PYQs
NDA asks mostly first-order differential equations. Common question types: find general solution, find particular solution given initial condition, identify order/degree, verify if a function is a solution.
Shortcut/Trick:
Always check if the equation is separable first—this is the quickest method. If variables can be separated, do it immediately before attempting other methods. For verification problems, just differentiate the given solution and check if it satisfies the original equation.
Worked ExampleSolve this step-by-step before moving on
1
Step 1
Separate variables.
dy = 2x dx
2
Step 2
Integrate both sides.
∫dy = ∫2x dx
y = x² + C
3
Step 3
Apply initial condition y(0) = 1.
1 = 0² + C
C = 1
4
Step 4
Write particular solution.
y = x² + 1
Exam TrapsCommon mistakes students make — avoid these
Students forget to add the constant of integration (C) in the general solution. Always include it. Also, they sometimes fail to simplify or rearrange before integrating, missing the separable structure.
Key Points to Remember
A differential equation connects a function with its derivatives and expresses how one quantity changes with respect to another.
Order of a differential equation is determined by the highest derivative present in it.
Separable equations can be solved by rearranging so variables are on opposite sides, then integrating each side separately.
For linear first-order equations (dy/dx + Py = Q), use integrating factor method: IF = e^(∫P dx).
Initial conditions (given values at specific points) help find the particular solution from the general solution.
Always verify your solution by differentiating it and checking whether it satisfies the original equation.
Exam-Specific Tips
Order of differential equation = highest power of the highest derivative present.
Degree of differential equation = power of the highest order derivative (only when equation is polynomial in derivatives).
Separable differential equation general form: dy/dx = f(x)g(y) can be solved as ∫(1/g(y))dy = ∫f(x)dx + C.
Integrating Factor for dy/dx + Py = Q is always e^(∫P dx), where P is function of x only.
A particular solution is obtained by substituting initial/boundary conditions into the general solution to find the constant C.
Homogeneous differential equation of first order solved using substitution y = vx, converting it to separable form.
dy/dx = k(constant) has general solution y = kx + C, representing straight line family.
Solution to dy/dx = ky is exponential: y = Ae^(kx), where A is determined by initial condition.
Practice MCQs
Differential Equations — Practice Questions
37graded MCQs · easy to hard · full solution & trap analysis · showing 20 of 37
The differential equation dy/dx = 2xy satisfies the initial condition y(0) = 1. What is y(x)?
Practice 2easy
The differential equation dy/dx = 2xy with initial condition y(0) = 1 has the solution:
Practice 3easy
The order and degree of the differential equation (d²y/dx²)² + (dy/dx)³ = x are respectively:
Practice 4easy
The solution to the differential equation dy/dx + y = e^(-x) is:
Practice 5easy
If y = e^(2x)·sin(3x), then d²y/dx² equals:
Practice 6easy
The differential equation (1 + x²)dy/dx + 2xy = 4x² is linear. Its solution is:
Practice 7easy
The order and degree of the differential equation d²y/dx² + (dy/dx)³ = sin(x) are respectively:
Practice 8easy
If y = e^(2x)·sin(3x), then dy/dx equals:
Practice 9easy
The solution of the differential equation (1 + x²)dy/dx = xy with y(0) = 2 is:
Practice 10easy
The differential equation d²y/dx² + 4y = 0 has the general solution y = A·cos(2x) + B·sin(2x). If y(0) = 3 and dy/dx|_(x=0) = 4, what is the value of A + B?
Practice 11easy
Consider the differential equation dy/dx = (y² + 1)/x. Which of the following is the correct form after separating variables?
Practice 12easy
The differential equation d²y/dx² - 5·dy/dx + 6y = 0 is a second-order linear homogeneous equation. What is the characteristic equation?
Practice 13easy
The solution to the differential equation dy/dx = 3e^(2x) with y(0) = 5 is:
Practice 14medium
The differential equation dy/dx = (y - x)/(y + x) can be solved by the substitution y = vx. After substitution and simplification, the resulting separable equation is:
Practice 15medium
The differential equation dy/dx = (y² + 2xy)/(x²) can be reduced to a linear form by the substitution v = y/x. After substitution, the resulting differential equation in v and x is:
Practice 16medium
The solution to the differential equation dy/dx + y·cot(x) = 2x·csc(x) with the condition y(π/2) = 1 is:
Practice 17medium
Consider the differential equation (1 + x²)dy/dx + 2xy = 4x². The general solution is:
Practice 18medium
The differential equation d²y/dx² - 5dy/dx + 6y = 0 has the general solution:
Practice 19medium
The solution to the differential equation dy/dx = (y - x)/(y + x) that passes through the point (1, 2) is:
Practice 20medium
The differential equation dy/dx = (y² + 2xy)/(x²) can be transformed into a linear differential equation by the substitution v = y/x. After substitution, the resulting differential equation in v and x is:
17 more practice questions in the Study Panel
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