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Question

What is the degree of the following differential equation?

\(\rm x=\sqrt{1+\frac{d^2y}{dx^2}}\)

This question was previously asked in
NDA I 2021 GAT Previous Year Paper (18-Apr-2021)
The correct answer is

1

Finding the Degree of a Differential Equation

Let's determine the degree of the given differential equation:

\[ \rm x=\sqrt{1+\frac{d^2y}{dx^2}} \]

To find the degree of a differential equation, we first need to understand what order and degree mean.

  • Order: The order of a differential equation is the order of the highest derivative present in the equation.
  • Degree: The degree of a differential equation is the power of the highest-order derivative, provided that the equation has been made free from radicals and fractions with respect to the derivatives. If the equation cannot be expressed as a polynomial in terms of its derivatives, the degree is undefined.

Step-by-Step Solution

Let's analyze the given equation:

\[ \rm x=\sqrt{1+\frac{d^2y}{dx^2}} \]
  1. Identify the highest-order derivative: The highest derivative present in the equation is \(\frac{d^2y}{dx^2}\).
  2. Determine the order: Since the highest derivative is \(\frac{d^2y}{dx^2}\), the order of the differential equation is 2.
  3. Eliminate the radical: The equation contains a square root involving the derivative term. To find the degree, we must remove this radical by squaring both sides of the equation: \[ \rm (x)^2 = \left(\sqrt{1+\frac{d^2y}{dx^2}}\right)^2 \] \[ \rm x^2 = 1+\frac{d^2y}{dx^2} \]
  4. Rearrange the equation (optional): We can rewrite the equation to make it look like a polynomial in terms of the derivatives: \[ \frac{d^2y}{dx^2} + 1 - x^2 = 0 \] Now, the equation is free from radicals and fractions with respect to the derivatives. It is a polynomial equation in terms of \(\frac{d^2y}{dx^2}\).
  5. Determine the power of the highest-order derivative: The highest-order derivative is \(\frac{d^2y}{dx^2}\). Its power in the equation \(\frac{d^2y}{dx^2} + 1 - x^2 = 0\) is 1.

Therefore, the degree of the differential equation is 1.

Concept Value for \( \rm x=\sqrt{1+\frac{d^2y}{dx^2}} \)
Highest Derivative \( \frac{d^2y}{dx^2} \)
Order 2
Equation without radical \( \frac{d^2y}{dx^2} = x^2 - 1 \)
Power of Highest Derivative 1
Degree 1

Comparing this result with the given options, we find that the degree is 1.

Revision Table: Order vs. Degree

Feature Order of a Differential Equation Degree of a Differential Equation
Definition Order of the highest derivative. Power of the highest-order derivative after removing radicals/fractions w.r.t. derivatives.
Requirement for Definition Always defined if derivatives exist. Defined only if the equation is a polynomial in derivatives.
How to Find Look for the highest \( n \) in \( \frac{d^ny}{dx^n} \). Clear radicals and fractions involving derivatives, then find the exponent of the highest derivative term.

Additional Information: Types of Differential Equations

Differential equations are classified based on various characteristics. Understanding these classifications helps in solving them.

  • Based on Type:
    • Ordinary Differential Equation (ODE): Contains only ordinary derivatives with respect to a single independent variable (like \( \frac{dy}{dx} \)). The given equation is an ODE.
    • Partial Differential Equation (PDE): Contains partial derivatives with respect to two or more independent variables (like \( \frac{\partial z}{\partial x} \)).
  • Based on Order: Classified by the order of the highest derivative (e.g., first-order, second-order). The given equation is a second-order ODE.
  • Based on Linearity:
    • Linear Differential Equation: Can be written in the form \( a_n(x) \frac{d^ny}{dx^n} + a_{n-1}(x) \frac{d^{n-1}y}{dx^{n-1}} + ... + a_1(x) \frac{dy}{dx} + a_0(x) y = b(x) \). The dependent variable \( y \) and its derivatives appear only in the first degree and are not multiplied together.
    • Non-linear Differential Equation: Any differential equation that is not linear. The given equation \( \frac{d^2y}{dx^2} = x^2 - 1 \) is linear because \( y \) and its derivatives appear only to the power of 1 and are not multiplied.
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Similar Questions

  1. Consider the following in respect of the differential equation:

    \(\frac{{{d^2}y}}{{d{x^2}}} + 2{\left( {\frac{{dy}}{{dx}}} \right)^2} + 9y = x\)

    1. The degree of the differential equation is 1.

    2. The order of the differential equation is 2.

    Which of the above statements is/are correct?

  2. The degree of the differential equation \(\frac{{{\rm{dy}}}}{{{\rm{dx}}}} - {\rm{x}} = {\left( {{\rm{y}} - {\rm{x}}\frac{{{\rm{dy}}}}{{{\rm{dx}}}}} \right)^{ - 4}}\) is

  3. What is the degree of the differential equation? \(1+\left(\frac{dy}{dx}\right)^2 =\left(\frac{d^2y}{dx^2}\right)^{\frac{4}{3}}?\)

  4. What is the order of the differential equation of all ellipses whose axes are along the coordinate axes?

  5. What is the degree of the differential equation of all circles touching both the coordinate axes in the first quadrant?

  6. What is the degree of the differential equation \(\frac{{{d}^{3}}y}{d{{x}^{3}}}+{{\left( \frac{dy}{dx} \right)}^{2}}-{{x}^{2}}\left( \frac{{{d}^{4}}y}{d{{x}^{4}}} \right)=0?\)

  7. The differential equation of the family of curves y = p cos (ax) + q sin (ax), where p, q are arbitrary constants, is

  8. The order and degree of the differential equation y 2= 4a (x – a), where ‘a’ is an arbitrary constant, are respectively

  9. Consider the following statements :

    1. The degree of the differential equation \(\frac{\text{dy}}{\text{dx}} + \cos \left(\frac{\text{dy}}{\text{dx}}\right)\)  = 0 is 1.

    2. The order of the differential equation  \(\left(\frac{\text{d}^2\text{y}}{\text{dx}^2}\right)^3 + \cos \left(\frac{\text{dy}}{\text{dx}}\right)\)  = 0 is 2.

    Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  10. What are the order and degree, respectively, of the differential equation \({\left( {\frac{{{{\rm{d}}^3}{\rm{y}}}}{{{\rm{d}}{{\rm{x}}^3}}}} \right)^2} = {{\rm{y}}^4} + {\left( {\frac{{{\rm{dy}}}}{{{\rm{dx}}}}} \right)^5}?\)


Important Questions from Order and Degree of a Differential Equation

  1. Consider the following in respect of the differential equation:

    \(\frac{{{d^2}y}}{{d{x^2}}} + 2{\left( {\frac{{dy}}{{dx}}} \right)^2} + 9y = x\)

    1. The degree of the differential equation is 1.

    2. The order of the differential equation is 2.

    Which of the above statements is/are correct?

  2. The partial differential equation \(\frac{{\partial u}}{{\partial t}} + u\frac{{\partial u}}{{\partial x}} = \frac{{{\partial ^2}u}}{{\partial {x^2}}}\) is a

  3. The degree of the differential equation \({\left( {\frac{{{d^2}y}}{{d{x^2}}}} \right)^3} + {\left( {\frac{{dy}}{{dx}}} \right)^2} + \sin x\left( {\frac{{dy}}{{dx}}} \right) + y = 0\) is:

  4. In the following partial differential equation, θ is a function of t and z, and D and K are functions of θ

    \(D\left( \theta \right)\frac{{{\delta ^2}\theta }}{{\delta {z^2}}} + \frac{{\delta K\left( \theta \right)}}{{\delta z}} - \frac{{\delta \theta }}{{\delta t}} = 0\)

    The above equation is
  5. The solution of the equation \({\rm{x}}\frac{{{\rm{dy}}}}{{{\rm{dx}}}} + {\rm{y}} = 0{\rm{}}\) passing through the point (1,1) is

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