MODULE 1 – DEFINITION OF TERMS

INTRODUCTION

A differential equation is an equation, which involves derivatives of a dependent variable

with respect to one or more independent variables. This equation may have variables
present only in the derivatives. In the equation,

𝑑 𝑖 𝑑𝑖 1
𝐿 𝑅 𝑖 𝐸𝜔 cos 𝜔𝑡
𝑑𝑡 𝑑𝑡 𝐶

i is the dependent variable, t is the independent variable, and L, R, C, E and 𝜔 are called
parameters. It is possible for a differential equation to have more than one dependent
variable, for example,

𝑑 𝑥 𝑑 𝑦 𝑑𝑧
𝑒
𝑑𝑡 𝑑𝑡 𝑑𝑡

It is a differential equation with dependent variables x, y and z and independent variable,

z. Also, it is possible for a differential equation to have more than one independent
variable, for example,

𝑑 𝑉 𝑑 𝑉
0
𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑦

It is a differential equation with dependent variable of V and independent variables x and

y. It will be the custom to use primes to denote derivatives with respect to a single
independent variable when the variable is evident. Thus, in the given example,

𝑑𝑦 𝑑 𝑦
𝑦 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑦"
𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑥

ORDINARY AND PARTIAL DIFFERENTIAL EQUATION

 Ordinary Differential Equation (ODE)  A differential equation that involves

derivatives with respect to a single independent variable.
 Partial Differential Equation  A differential equation that involves derivatives
with respect to two or more independent variables.
The differential equations,

𝑑 𝑠 𝑑 𝑠 𝑑𝑠
2 0
𝑑𝑡 𝑑𝑡 𝑑𝑡

𝑑 𝑥 𝑑 𝑦 𝑑𝑧
𝑒
𝑑𝑡 𝑑𝑡 𝑑𝑡

𝑦 𝑦 𝑦 2𝑦 𝑒

are ordinary differential equations while,

𝑑 𝑉 𝑑 𝑉 𝑑 𝑉
0
𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑦 𝑑𝑧

is a partial differential equation.

ORDER AND DEGREE OF A DIFFERENTIAL EQUATION

The order of a differential equation is the order of the highest-ordered derivative

appearing in the equation. For instance,

𝑑 𝑦 𝑑𝑦
2𝑏 𝑦 0
𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑥

is an equation of “order two”. It is also referred to as a “second-order equation”. More

generally, the equation

𝐹 𝑥, 𝑦, 𝑦 , … , 𝑦 0

Is called an “𝑛 order” ordinary differential equation. If a differential equation can be

rationalized and cleared of fractions with regard to all derivatives present, the exponent
of the highest-order derivative is called the degree of the differential equation.

Note: NOT EVERY DIFFERENTIAL EQUATION HAS A DEGREE

/
The differential equation 𝑦 1 𝑦′ can be rationalized by cubing both sides to
obtain 𝑦 1 𝑦 . The exponent of the highest-order present (namely y’’’) is two.
Hence, the differential equation is of degree of two. However, note that 𝑦’’’ 𝑥 𝑦 is of
degree one.

SOLUTION OF A DIFFERENTIAL EQUATION

Example 1:

Verify that sin 𝑘𝑥 is a solution of the equation in 𝑘 𝑥 0.

Solution of the Example 1:

𝑦 sin 𝑘𝑥

𝑦′ k cos 𝑘𝑥

𝑦′′ k sin 𝑘𝑥

.Substitute for the value of 𝑘 𝑥 0

k sin 𝑘𝑥 𝑘 sin 𝑘𝑥 0

k sin 𝑘𝑥 𝑘 sin 𝑘𝑥 0

0 0

Therefore, sin 𝑘𝑥 is a solution to 𝑘 𝑥 0.

Example 2:

Verify that 𝑒 is a solution of the equation in 𝑦 3𝑦 2𝑦 0

Solution to Example 2:

𝑦 𝑒
 𝑦′ 2𝑒

𝑦′′ 4𝑒

𝑦′′′ 8𝑒

Substitute for the value of in 𝑦 3𝑦 2𝑦 0

8𝑒 3 2𝑒 2𝑒 0

8𝑒 6𝑒 2𝑒 0

8𝑒 8𝑒 0

0 0

Therefore, 𝑒 is a solution to 𝑦 3𝑦 2𝑦 0.

ELIMINATION OF ARBITRARY CONSTANTS

Properties

 The order of differential equation is equal to the number of arbitrary constants in

the given relation.
 The differential equation is consistent with the relation.
 The differential equation is free from arbitrary constants.

Example 3:

Eliminate the arbitrary constants 𝑐 and 𝑐 from the relation 𝑦 𝑐𝑒 𝑐 𝑒 .

Solution to Example 3:

𝑦 𝑐 𝑒 𝑐 𝑒 → 𝑒𝑞. 1

𝑦 3𝑐 𝑒 2𝑐 𝑒 → 𝑒𝑞. 2

𝑦 9𝑐 𝑒 4𝑐 𝑒 → 𝑒𝑞. 3

Multiply 3 to the eq. 1 then add it into the eq. 2

 3 𝑦 𝑐 𝑒 𝑐 𝑒
𝑦 3𝑐 𝑒 2𝑐 𝑒
3𝑦 𝑦 5𝑐 𝑒 → 𝑒𝑞. 4
Multiply 3 to the eq. 2 then add it into eq. 3

3 𝑦 3𝑐 𝑒 2𝑐 𝑒
𝑦 9𝑐 𝑒 4𝑐 𝑒
3𝑦′ 𝑦 10𝑐 𝑒 → 𝑒𝑞. 5
Lastly, multiply 2 to the eq. 4 then subtract it into eq. 5

2 3𝑦 𝑦 5𝑐 𝑒
3𝑦′ 𝑦 10𝑐 𝑒
6𝑦 2𝑦 3𝑦 𝑦 0
Simplify the equation,

6𝑦 2𝑦 3𝑦 𝑦 0

𝟔𝒚 𝒚 𝒚 𝟎
Note: The methods of elimination vary with the way in which the constants enter the given
relation.

FAMILIES OF CURVES

Family of Curves are equations that includes arbitrary constants. This equation are mostly
standard equation of conic section of Line, Circle Parabola, Ellipse and Hyperbola. An
equation involving a parameter, as well as one or both of the coordinates of a point in a
plane, may represent a family of curves, one curve corresponding to each value of the
parameter.

Example 4:

Find the differential equation satisfied by the family of parabolas having their vertices at
the origin and their foci on y-axis.
Solution to Example 4:

An equation of this family of parabolas is,

𝑦 𝑎𝑥 → 𝑒𝑞. 1

𝑦 2𝑎𝑥 → 𝑒𝑞. 2

Derive from the eq. 2,

𝑦
𝑎
2𝑥

Substitute it to eq.1,

𝑦 𝑎𝑥

𝑦
𝑦 𝑥
2𝑥

𝑦
𝑦 𝑥
2

2𝑦 𝑦 𝑥

𝑥𝑦 2𝑦 0

𝑑𝑦
𝑥 2𝑦 0
𝑑𝑥

𝒙𝒅𝒚 𝟐𝒚𝒅𝒙 𝟎

Example 5:

Find the differential equation of the family of circles having their center on the y-axis.

Solution to Example 5:

A member of the family of circles of this example may have its center anywhere on the y-
axis and its radius of any magnitude, we are dealing with the two parameter family

𝑥 𝑦 𝑏 𝑟
We shall eliminate both b and r and obtain a second order differential equation for the
family,

2𝑥 2 𝑦 𝑏 𝑦 0

from which,

2𝑥 2 𝑦 𝑏 𝑦 0

2𝑥 2𝑦𝑦 2𝑏𝑦′ 0

Divide both sides by 2,

𝑥 𝑦𝑦 𝑏𝑦′ 0

Then, extract b from the equation,

𝑥 𝑦𝑦 𝑏𝑦′

𝑥 𝑦𝑦′
𝑏
𝑦′

Then, differentiate it once again to eliminate the b,

𝑥 𝑦𝑦′
𝑏
𝑦′

𝑦 1 𝑦𝑦 𝑦 𝑦 𝑥 𝑦𝑦 𝑦
0
𝑦

𝑦 0 𝑦 𝑦𝑦 𝑦 𝑦 𝑥𝑦 𝑦𝑦′𝑦′′

Divide both sides by 𝑦′,

0 𝑦 𝑦𝑦 𝑦 𝑦 𝑥𝑦 𝑦𝑦′𝑦′′

𝟑
𝟎 𝒚 𝒚 𝒙𝒚
Example 6:

Straight lines with slope and y-intercept equal.

Solution to Example 6:

We all know that the formula for slope-intercept form is,

𝑦 𝑚𝑥 𝑏 → 𝑒𝑞. 1

But, m = b

𝑦 𝑚𝑥 𝑚 → 𝑒𝑞. 2

Then differentiate it,

𝑦 𝑚𝑥 𝑚

𝑦′ 𝑚

Substitute it to eq. 2,

𝑦 𝑦′𝑥 𝑦′

𝑦 𝑦′ 𝑥 1

𝑥 1 𝑦 𝑦 0

𝑑𝑦
𝑥 1 𝑦 0
𝑑𝑥

𝒙 𝟏 𝒅𝒚 𝒚𝒅𝒙 𝟎
GUIDE QUESTIONS 1

1. What is the difference between the ordinary differential equation and partial differential
equation?

2. What is an order of a differential equation?

3. What is a degree of a differential equation?

ANSWER TO GUIDE QUESTIONS 1

Question 1. An Ordinary Differential Equation (ODE) is a differential equation that

involves derivatives with respect to a single independent variable while the Partial
Differential Equation is a differential equation that involves derivatives with respect to two
or more independent variables.

Question 2. The order of a differential equation is the order of the highest-ordered

derivative appearing in the equation.

Question 3. If a differential equation can be rationalized and cleared of fractions with

regard to all derivatives present, the exponent of the highest-order derivative is called the
degree of the differential equation.

KEY POINTS

1. Differential Equation  an equation, which involves derivatives of a dependent

variable with respect to one or more independent variables.
2. Dependent Variable  The variable that depends on other factors that are measured.
These variables are expected to change as a result of an experimental manipulation
of the independent variable or variables.
3. Independent Variable  The variable that is stable and unaffected by the other
variables you are trying to measure. It refers to the condition of an experiment that is
systematically manipulated by the investigator. It is the presumed cause.
4. Ordinary Differential Equation (ODE)  A differential equation that involves
derivatives with respect to a single independent variable.
5. Partial Differential Equation  A differential equation that involves derivatives with
respect to two or more independent variables.
6. Order of a differential equation  determined by the highest-order derivative; the
degree is determined by the highest power on a variable. The higher the order of the
differential equation, the more arbitrary constants need to be added to the general
solution.
7. Degree of a differential equation  the power of its highest derivative, after the
equation has been made rational and integral in all of its derivatives.

REFERENCES:

1. BOOK: Differential and Integral Calculus 6th Edition, Love, Clyde E., et.al., 1962
2. BOOK: Gillesania, Diego Inocencio T., Engineering Mathematics Volume 2, 2012
3. BOOK: Differential Equation (Worktext), Tattao, Luis A., 2010
4. YouTube Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hiL356ExeIw
ASSESSMENT 1

Name: Course, Year and Section:

I. For each of the following, state whether the equation is ordinary or partial, its order, its
degree, and identify its dependent and independent variable.

1. 𝑘 𝑥 0

2. 𝑎

3. 𝑥 𝑦 𝑑𝑥 2𝑥𝑦 𝑑𝑦 0

4. 𝑦 𝑃 𝑥 𝑦 𝑄 𝑥

5. 𝑦 3𝑦 2𝑦 0

II. Answer the following differential equation.

1. Verify that 3𝑒 4𝑒 is a solution of the equation of 𝑦 3𝑦 2𝑦 0.

2. Eliminate the arbitrary constants A and B of the equation, 𝑦 𝐴𝑒 𝐵𝑥𝑒