• CBSE Weightage: 5 to 7 marks (expect one 3-marker on order and degree or variable-separable, and one 5-marker on linear DE with integrating factor or homogeneous substitution)
  • JEE Main Weightage: 6 to 8% (2 to 3 questions per shift on linear DE, homogeneous substitution, and family-of-curves general solutions)
  • JEE Main Weightage: Not in JEE Main syllabus (Maths-only chapter; high weight for JEE Main, JEE Advanced, CUET Mathematics, and ISI / CMI entrance papers)
Chapter 9 Differential Equations Handwritten Notes PDF
30 ruled-paper pages · hand-drawn solution-curve families · slope field · cooling-curve sketch · dashed IF and homogeneous-substitution boxes · 2026-27 NCERT
Differential Equations Handwritten Notes - Class 12 Maths

Why Differential Equations Rewards a Visual Notebook over Typed Notes

  • Hand-drawn solution-curve families: Each archetype family (parabola y2 = 4ax , circle x2 + y2 = c2 , exponential y = cekx ) is sketched as five overlapping curves for five values of the arbitrary constant, so you see what "general solution = a one-parameter family" actually means.
  • Slope-field grid: A 6 × 6 grid of short slope-arrows is drawn for dy/dx = y/x , with two integral curves traced through it. The grid makes the geometric interpretation of a first-order DE physically obvious.
  • Newton-cooling asymptote sketch: The exponential decay T(t) = Ts + (T0 - Ts)e-kt is drawn with a dashed asymptote at y = Ts , the practical anchor JEE re-uses every year as a modelling question.
  • Dashed IF and substitution boxes: The integrating-factor formula μ = eP dx and the homogeneous substitution y = vx, dy/dx = v + x dv/dx each sit inside their own hand-drawn dashed rectangle so the eye locates them in under a second.
Differential equation basics: order, degree, general and particular solutions

Differential Equations Video Walkthrough

Source: Magnet Brains on YouTube

How the Handwritten Notes on Ordinary Differential Equations on the Handwritten Notes on Ordinary Differential Equations Help You

  • Family-of-curves drawings on every method page: Variable-separable, homogeneous, and linear DE methods each end with a sample family sketched out, so the general-solution constant c is something you see varying, not an algebraic afterthought.
  • Boxed key templates: The integrating-factor recipe μ = eP dx, yμ = ∫ Qμ dx + c and the homogeneous-substitution chain v = y/xv + x dv/dx = f(v) → ∫ dvf(v)-v = ∫ dxx are each enclosed in their own hand-drawn rectangle.
  • 2026-27 NCERT alignment: The notebook reflects the current 2026-27 syllabus. NCERT retained the entire chapter, order-degree through linear DE, after the most recent edition review, including the applications section that JEE uses as a modelling problem source.
  • Solved Newton-cooling case study: One fully solved cooling-law problem with the dashed-asymptote sketch beside it serves as the template you can match against any modelling-type Board or JEE question in the Handwritten Notes on Ordinary Differential Equations.

Differential Equations Diagram Inventory in the Class 12 Maths Notebook

PageDiagramWhat It Shows
2Order-degree decision treeBranches off "is the highest derivative raised to an integer power after rationalising radicals?"; ends with order = highest derivative, degree = its exponent
5Variable-separable familyFive overlapping curves of y = cex for c ∈ -2, -1, 1, 2, 3 ; illustrates that the general solution is a one-parameter family
8Slope-field grid for dy/dx = y/x 6 × 6 grid of short slope-arrows with two integral curves y = kx traced through it; the geometric interpretation panel
11Homogeneous-DE familyFamily of straight lines y = vx through the origin; same slope on every ray, motivating the y = vx substitution
13Dashed homogeneous-substitution box y = vx, dy/dx = v + x dv/dx enclosed in a dashed rectangle; the substitution that turns a homogeneous DE into a variable-separable one in v and x
17Dashed integrating-factor box μ(x) = eP(x) dx, ddx(yμ) = Qμ enclosed in a dashed rectangle; the linear-DE learn recipe
20Linear-DE solved example dy/dx + (1/x)y = x2 solved through with μ = x ; final answer y = x3/4 + c/x with three sample curves sketched for different c
23Circle family x2 + y2 = c2 Five concentric circles for c ∈ 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 ; the geometry behind a general solution derived from a perpendicular-trajectory problem
26Newton-cooling curve with asymptoteExponential decay T(t) = Ts + (T0 - Ts)e-kt on T vs t axes with dashed horizontal asymptote at T = Ts
28Parabola family y2 = 4ax Five right-opening parabolas for a ∈ 0.5, 1, 1.5, 2, 3 ; accompanies the orthogonal-trajectory solved examples
30One-page method decision cardFlowchart: separable? homogeneous? linear in y ? linear in x ? Bernoulli? exact? Branches to the matching method box on the relevant page
Quick Tip: Photograph page 30 (the method decision card) and page 17 (the dashed IF box) onto your phone. 90% of CBSE 5-mark questions on the Handwritten Notes on Ordinary Differential Equations reduce to picking the right method off page 30 and applying the template on page 17 or page 13.

Differential Equations Concept Mnemonics for Class 12 Maths Quick Recall

Order is the Highest Derivative, Degree is its Power: Order counts how many times you differentiate; degree is the exponent of that highest derivative after the equation has been freed of radicals and fractional powers. CBSE asks this verbatim every year as the warm-up MCQ.
General Solution = Family, Particular Solution = One Curve: Solving a first-order DE gives a one-parameter family; an initial condition picks one curve from the family. Forgetting the + c on the general solution costs 1 mark every time.
Linear in y Means Integrating Factor: If the DE can be written dy/dx + P(x)y = Q(x) , the integrating factor is eP dx . If it is linear in x instead, write dx/dy + P(y)x = Q(y) and the IF is eP(y) dy . The most-tested CBSE 5-mark template.
Homogeneous Means Substitute y = vx : A first-order DE dy/dx = f(y/x) is homogeneous. The substitution y = vx, dy/dx = v + x dv/dx converts it to a variable-separable DE in v and x . Reverse-substitute v = y/x at the end.
Solving a homogeneous DE using y=vx substitution

Differential Equations Top 6 Key Formulae for Class 12 Maths Quick Recall

ConceptResult
Variable-Separable dydx = g(x) h(y) ⇒ ∫ dyh(y) = ∫ g(x) dx + c
Homogeneous Substitution dydx = f(yx) ⇒ y = vx, v + xdvdx = f(v)
Linear DE in y dydx + P(x) y = Q(x); μ = eP dx; yμ = ∫ Qμ dx + c
Linear DE in x dxdy + P(y) x = Q(y); μ = eP dy; xμ = ∫ Qμ dy + c
Order & DegreeOrder = order of the highest derivative; degree = its integer power after the DE is rationalised in derivatives
Newton's Cooling Law dTdt = -k(T - Ts) ⇒ T(t) = Ts + (T0 - Ts)e-kt

Differential Equations: Last 24-Hour Revision Card for Class 12 Maths

  1. Order and degree: Order = the order of the highest derivative present. Degree = its integer power once radicals and fractional exponents in derivatives are cleared. If the DE cannot be made polynomial in derivatives, degree is not defined.
  2. General vs particular: General solution has n arbitrary constants for an n -th order DE and represents an n -parameter family of curves. Particular solution fits one initial / boundary condition and picks one curve.
  3. Variable-separable: Rewrite as h(y) dy = g(x) dx , integrate both sides, attach + c . The single most common 3-marker on this chapter.
  4. Homogeneous: Spot the form dy/dx = f(y/x) . Substitute y = vx , reduce to a separable DE in v and x , integrate, then reverse-substitute v = y/x . 5-mark CBSE favourite.
  5. Linear DE in y : Standard form dy/dx + P(x) y = Q(x) . Integrating factor μ = eP dx . General solution yμ = ∫ Qμ dx + c . If the DE is linear in x instead, mirror the recipe with roles of x and y swapped.
  6. Family of curves: A one-parameter family F(x, y, c) = 0 gives a first-order DE by differentiating once and eliminating c . An n -parameter family gives an n -th order DE.
  7. Application templates: Newton's cooling T = Ts + (T0 - Ts)e-kt ; radioactive decay N = N0 et ; population / bank-interest growth P = P0 ert . Each is a separable DE in disguise.
Watch Out: Students routinely forget to rationalise radicals before reading off the degree, write the integrating factor as P dx instead of eP dx , or drop the constant c on the general solution. Each slip costs 1 to 2 marks of a 5-mark CBSE question.

Handwritten Notes vs Printed Notes for Differential Equations: When to Use Which

ResourceBest ForTime Per Pass
Typed NotesFirst read, formal definitions, method derivations, family-of-curves geometry build-up120 to 150 min
Handwritten NotesSecond and third revision passes, visual method recall, slope-field and family-of-curves geometry, last-24-hour skim40 to 60 min
Formula SheetFinal 10 minutes before the paper: IF formula, homogeneous substitution, order-degree definition recall10 min

Class 12th Maths Chapter 9 Differential Equations Pen-Colour Convention

Ink ColourWhat It MarksWhat's Inside
BlueDefinition / statementNCERT one-line definitions: differential equation, order, degree, general and particular solution, homogeneous, linear DE
OrangeMethod box (dashed)The four standard methods, variable-separable, homogeneous y = vx , linear in y , linear in x , each in its own dashed rectangle with a solved examples
Yellow highlightSolution-curve family sketchThe general-solution family for each archetype: parabola, circle, line, exponential decay. The geometric content of the Handwritten Notes on Ordinary Differential Equations
RedCommon-mistake boxFrequent slips: forgetting + c , missing the e in the IF, mis-counting degree before rationalising, applying linear-DE recipe to a non-linear equation

Differential Equations Weightage Across Class 12 Maths Chapters

Ch 1 Relations and Functions
5 marks
Ch 2 Inverse Trigonometric Functions
4 marks
Ch 3 Matrices
6 marks
Ch 4 Determinants
6 marks
Ch 5 Continuity and Differentiability
8 marks
Ch 6 Application of Derivatives
6 marks
Ch 7 Integrals
9 marks
Ch 8 Application of Integrals
4 marks
Ch 9 Differential Equations
5 marks
Ch 10 Vector Algebra
5 marks
Ch 11 Three Dimensional Geometry
5 marks
Ch 12 Linear Programming
5 marks
Ch 13 Probability
6 marks

More Differential Equations Maths Class 12 Resources

NCERT Handwritten Notes for Class 12 Maths: All Chapters

Exercise-wise Breakdown of the Differential Equations Chapter

ExerciseTopic Tested
Exercise 9.1Basic concepts; order and degree of a differential equation
Exercise 9.2General and particular solutions
Exercise 9.3Formation of differential equation from family of curves
Exercise 9.4Variable separable differential equations
Exercise 9.5Homogeneous and linear differential equations
Miscellaneous ExerciseMixed differential equations problems

PDF Download Formats and Languages for the Differential Equations Chapter

FormatBest forApprox. size
Normal-resolution PDFPhone reading, quick revision between classes2-3 MB
HD PDFPrint-ready, desk study, board hall photocopy8-10 MB
Handwritten Notes PDFMirrors how a topper writes the chapter under Sunday-revision pace5-7 MB
  • NCERT-faithful: Every definition, theorem and exercise on the differential equations class 12 ncert pdf matches the printed textbook line for line.
  • Hindi-medium edition: The differential equations class 12 pdf is also available in Hindi - same page numbering, same equation labels.
  • Formula PDF separate: The differential equations class 12 formulas pdf is a one-page A4 reference sheet listing every identity used in the chapter.
  • Solutions PDF separate: The differential equations class 12 solutions pdf gives every NCERT exercise worked out step by step.
  • State-board alignment: Students on the Maharashtra board, HSC, or any state-board syllabus will find the same definitions in this differential equations class 12 pdf - only the exercise numbers differ.

Important Questions and Previous Year Trends for the Differential Equations Chapter

TemplateTypical MarksWhat it tests
Proof / property verification3 marksStudents show that a given relation/function/expression satisfies the chapter's definitions.
One-step computation2 marksSubstitution-based item: plug into a known formula and simplify.
Case-study scenario4 marksReal-world setup applying the chapter's definitions, introduced in CBSE 2021+ papers.
  • differential equations class 12 previous year questions for 2019-2024 are linked from the PYQ block at the bottom of this page - the exact CBSE phrasings.
  • The differential equations class 12 important questions with solutions set is reused by toppers in the last fortnight of revision.
  • For NCERT Exemplar practice, the matching differential equations class 12 extra questions set adds advanced problems suitable for JEE Main and JEE Advanced.
  • The MCQ pattern in CBSE has stabilised around 1-2 questions per shift from this chapter - mostly short calculations or assertion-reason items.

Year-wise PYQ Distribution

YearDominant Question TypeApprox. Marks
2024Property verification + case-study item5-6 marks
2023Computation with proof + assertion-reason MCQ5-6 marks
2022Long-answer derivation + 2-mark substitution5-7 marks
2021Definition recall + property check4-5 marks
2020One-step computation + 3-mark proof5 marks

How the Differential Equations Notes Pair with NCERT Solutions and the Formula Sheet

ResourceUse it forWhen
Differential Equations Notes (this page)Theory, definitions, exam patternsFirst pass, before practice
differential equations class 12 ncert solutions PDFStep-by-step solved exercisesSecond pass, during NCERT practice
differential equations class 12 formulas PDFOne-page identity recallThird pass, alongside mock papers
Handwritten Notes PDFQuick reading in topper's handwritingAnytime, especially commute revision
  • The differential equations class 12 ncert solutions cover every back-of-chapter exercise plus the miscellaneous exercise.
  • The differential equations class 12 solutions for each individual exercise are indexed by exercise number on the sister NCERT Solutions page (see the Exercise-wise Breakdown table above for direct links).
  • The differential equations class 12 formulas reference sheet is the same A4 file students sometimes refer to as differential equations class 12 all formulas - it lists every identity used in the chapter.
  • State-board references: RD Sharma, ML Aggarwal, Teachoo and the Maharashtra board differential equations class 12 textbook PDF all share the same core definitions.
  • For class-first search phrasings - class 12 differential equations solutions, class 12 differential equations ncert solutions, ncert class 12 differential equations solutions - the same files cover the request.

Reference Books and State-Board Mapping

ReferenceHow it maps to Differential Equations Class 12
RD Sharma Class 12 Differential EquationsQuestion patterns overlap with NCERT at ~70%; an advanced supplement.
ML Aggarwal Class 12 Differential EquationsSolutions style is closer to JEE; good for problem-solving practice.
Teachoo differential equations class 12Free online walkthroughs; useful for video-style learning.
Shaalaa differential equations class 12 solutionsState-board (Maharashtra HSC) phrasings; same core definitions.
Maharashtra board differential equations class 12 textbook PDFSame chapter content under the HSC syllabus; exercise numbers differ.
NCERT Exemplar Class 12 Differential EquationsAdvanced problems for JEE Main/JEE Advanced preparation.

How to Use the Differential Equations Notes Page Most Effectively

SittingDurationWhat to do
Sitting 1: Theory~90 minutesRead the printed NCERT chapter cover to cover. Mark every definition and theorem statement. Then read the formula recall section on this page.
Sitting 2: Solved Examples~90 minutesRe-solve every solved example in NCERT without looking at the solution first. Compare your steps against the printed working. Use the differential equations class 12 ncert solutions PDF if stuck.
Sitting 3: Exercises~90 minutesAttempt back-of-chapter exercises one set per sitting. Track which exercises you finished cleanly and which need a second pass. Click into the linked exercise pages above for verification.
  • 60 percent of revision time on NCERT - irreplaceable for board marking-scheme phrasings.
  • 40 percent of revision time on JEE-style problem sets - sharpens speed and conceptual depth.
  • The differential equations class 12 important questions set on the previous-year page is the closest free analogue to a JEE-style problem set for this chapter.
  • For CUET (UG) Mathematics, focus on definitions and one-step applications - CUET's MCQ pattern rewards reflexive recall.

This Collegedunia NCERT Class 12 Mathematics page is reviewed against every CBSE board paper release.

This Collegedunia NCERT Class 12 Mathematics page is reviewed against every CBSE board paper release.

Handwritten Notes on Ordinary Differential Equations - Frequently Asked Questions

Ques. Are these Class 12 Maths Chapter 9 Differential Equations handwritten notes aligned with the 2026-27 NCERT syllabus?