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Question

What is the solution of the differential equation.

\(\frac{{ydx - xdy}}{{{y^2}}} = 0\) ?

Where c is an arbitrary constant.

This question was previously asked in
NDA II 2015 GAT Previous Year Paper (16-Dec-2015)
The correct answer is

y = cx

Understanding the Differential Equation Problem

The question asks us to find the solution to a given differential equation. A differential equation is an equation that relates a function with its derivatives. Solving it means finding the function that satisfies the equation. The equation provided is:

\(\frac{{ydx - xdy}}{{{y^2}}} = 0\)

Here, \(ydx - xdy\) involves differentials of \(x\) and \(y\), and it's divided by \(y^2\).

Solving the Differential Equation

Let's analyze the structure of the given differential equation. The left side of the equation, \(\frac{{ydx - xdy}}{{{y^2}}}\), looks very similar to the differential of a quotient. Recall the differential rule for a quotient \(\frac{u}{v}\):

\(d\left(\frac{u}{v}\right) = \frac{{vdu - udv}}{{{v^2}}}\)

Comparing this formula with the term \(\frac{{ydx - xdy}}{{{y^2}}}\), we can see a direct correspondence:

  • Let \(u = x\). Then \(du = dx\).
  • Let \(v = y\). Then \(dv = dy\).
  • The denominator is \(v^2 = y^2\).

So, the expression \(\frac{{ydx - xdy}}{{{y^2}}}\) is exactly the differential of \(\frac{x}{y}\).

Therefore, the given differential equation can be rewritten as:

\(d\left(\frac{x}{y}\right) = 0\)

To find the solution, we need to integrate both sides of this equation. Integrating the differential of a function simply gives the function back, plus an integration constant.

\(\int d\left(\frac{x}{y}\right) = \int 0\)

Integrating the left side gives \(\frac{x}{y}\). Integrating the right side (0) gives a constant. Let's call this constant \(C\).

\(\frac{x}{y} = C\)

Where \(C\) is an arbitrary constant of integration.

Now, we need to rearrange this equation to match the format of the options provided. We can multiply both sides by \(y\) (assuming \(y \neq 0\)):

\(x = Cy\)

Or, we can solve for \(y\):

\(y = \frac{x}{C}\)

Since \(C\) is an arbitrary constant, \(\frac{1}{C}\) is also an arbitrary constant. Let's denote \(\frac{1}{C}\) as \(c\).

\(y = cx\)

This is the general solution to the differential equation, where \(c\) is an arbitrary constant.

Comparing with Options

Let's compare our derived solution \(y = cx\) with the given options:

  • Option 1: \(xy = c\). This is not our solution.
  • Option 2: \(y = cx\). This exactly matches our derived solution.
  • Option 3: \(x + y = c\). This is not our solution.
  • Option 4: \(x - y = c\). This is not our solution.

Thus, the solution to the differential equation \(\frac{{ydx - xdy}}{{{y^2}}} = 0\) is \(y = cx\).

Revision Table: Key Concepts for Differential Equations

ConceptDescriptionExample
Differential EquationAn equation involving an unknown function and its derivatives.\(\frac{dy}{dx} = 2x\)
Solution of DEA function that satisfies the differential equation when substituted.\(y = x^2 + C\) is a solution for \(\frac{dy}{dx} = 2x\).
Exact DifferentialA differential expression \(P(x,y)dx + Q(x,y)dy\) that can be written as the total differential \(dF\) of some function \(F(x,y)\).\(2xydx + x^2dy = d(x^2y)\)
Differential of QuotientThe rule \(d\left(\frac{u}{v}\right) = \frac{{vdu - udv}}{{{v^2}}}\).\(d\left(\frac{x}{y}\right) = \frac{{ydx - xdy}}{{{y^2}}}\)

Additional Information on Solving Differential Equations

Differential equations are classified based on their type, order, and linearity. The method used to solve them depends on these characteristics.

  • Separable Equations: Can be written in the form \(f(y)dy = g(x)dx\) and integrated directly.
  • Exact Equations: Written as \(P(x,y)dx + Q(x,y)dy = 0\) where \(\frac{{\partial P}}{{\partial y}} = \frac{{\partial Q}}{{\partial x}}\). The solution is found by integrating \(P\) and \(Q\) partially.
  • Linear Equations: Can be written in the form \(\frac{dy}{dx} + P(x)y = Q(x)\) and solved using an integrating factor.
  • Homogeneous Equations: Where \(f(tx, ty) = t^n f(x,y)\). Often solved using the substitution \(y = vx\).

The equation \(\frac{{ydx - xdy}}{{{y^2}}} = 0\) is a simple example that can be solved by recognizing it as an exact differential, specifically the differential of the quotient \(\frac{x}{y}\). This is a common technique in solving differential equations.

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Important Questions from Solution of Differential Equations

  1. The solution of the differential equation \(\rm\left(\frac{dy}{dx}\right)^2−\frac{d^2y}{dx^2}\)  = e y , with the boundary conditions y(0) = 0 and y'(0) = −1, is
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  3. What is the general solution of the differential equation ydx – (x + 2y 2) dy = 0?

  4. If xdy = y(dx + ydy) ; y(1) = 1 and y(x) > 0, then what is y(-3) equal to?

  5. If y(x) is a solution of the differential equation \(\frac{{dy}}{{dx}} + 4xy = {x^3},y(0) = 0\) then \(\mathop {\lim }\limits_{x \to 0} y(x)\) is

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