CBSE Class 12 Mathematics Notes Chapter 9 Differential Equations

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A differential equation is a type of equation that involves a relationship between one or more unknown functions and their derivatives. 

  • Derivatives refer to the rate at which the function varies with respect to its independent variables.
  • Functions is a branch of mathematics that specifies relationships between physical quantities.
  • Differential equations are used to study different sets of solutions and the properties of their solutions.
  • It specifies the rate of change of the dependent variable with respect to the independent variable (variables).
  • Ordinary derivatives and partial derivatives are two types of derivatives used in the differential equation.
  • The concept is used in the fields of economics, engineering, physics and biology.
  • It can be represented as:

dy/dx = f(x)

According to the CBSE Syllabus 2023-24, the chapter on Differential Equations comes under Unit 3 of Calculus. Unit Calculus holds a weightage of around 35 marks in the NCERT Class 12 Mathematics examination.

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Order of Differential Equation

  • The order of the differential equation refers to the highest order of the derivative of the equation.

Example of Order of Differential Equation

Example: dy/dx = x + 9 , The order is 1.

Order of Differential Equations

Order of Differential Equations


Degree of Differential Equation

  • The degree of a differential equation refers to the power of the highest-order derivative when the equation is represented in polynomial form.
  • It is expressed in the form y’,y’’,y’’.

Example of Degree of Differential Equation

Example: dy/dx + 7 = 0, Its degree is 1.

Degree of Differential Equations

Degree of Differential Equations


General and Particular Solutions of a Differential Equation

  • The general solutions of a differential equation include arbitrary constants (in the case of an ODE) or arbitrary functions (in the case of a PDE.)
  • ODE stands for ordinary differential equations, and PDE stands for partial differential equations.
  • In a general solution, the number of arbitrary constants is the same as the order of a given differential equation.
  • Particular solutions of a differential equation are obtained from a general solution when arbitrary constants are converted into required values.
  • Depending on the values of arbitrary constants, there are numerous particular solutions of a differential equation.

General and Particular Solutions of a Differential Equation

General and Particular Solutions of a Differential Equation


Solution of Differential Equations by Method of Separation of Variables

  • The solution of a differential equation, which is also known as primitivity, expresses the relationship between the variables and independent of derivatives.
  • In this process, the x-terms and y-terms of differential equations are separated into different sides, which also include the delta terms. 
  • The separated variable is then integrated to derive the solution of the differential equation.
  • It is expressed in the form: 

f(x)d(x) + g(y)d(y) = 0

Separation of Variables

Separation of Variables


Solutions of Homogeneous Differential Equations 

  • Homogeneous differential equations are a type of differential equation where the degree of f(x,y) and g(x, y) is the same.
  • It can be written in the form kn F(x,y) where k≠0. 
  • It has multiplicative scaling behaviour, which means when all arguments are multiplied by a factor, the function value is also multiplied by the power of the factor.

Steps to solve Homogeneous Differential Equations

  • To solve these equations, first substitute the value of y in the given differential equation.
  • Next, differentiate the equation followed by the separation of variables.
  • Lastly, integrate both sides of the equation.

Homogeneous Equation

Homogeneous Equation


Linear Differential Equations

  • A linear differential equation represents a differential equation which consists of a variable, a derivative of this variable, and a few other functions.
  • It is also known as Linear Partial Differential Equation in case the function is dependent on variables and derivatives are partial.
  • These equations form linear polynomial equations. 
  • The equation of the form dy/dx + Py = Q is called a first-order linear differential equation where P and Q are constants.

How to Solve First Order Linear Differential Equation

  • First, organize the terms in the form of dy/dx + Py = Q.
  • Obtain the integrating factor by integrating P with respect to x and raise the power of x.
  • Multiplying both sides of the differential equation with an integrating factor.
  • The left-hand side of the equation is the derivative of y × M (x).
  • Lastly, integrate both sides of the equation with respect to x and obtain the constant value.

Linear Differential Equations

Linear Differential Equations

There are Some important List Of Top Mathematics Questions On Differential Equations Asked In CBSE CLASS XII

CBSE CLASS XII Related Questions

  • 1.
    If \( \overrightarrow{a} + \overrightarrow{b} + \overrightarrow{c} = 0 \), \( |\overrightarrow{a}| = \sqrt{37} \), \( |\overrightarrow{b}| = 3 \), and \( |\overrightarrow{c}| = 4 \), then the angle between \( \overrightarrow{b} \) and \( \overrightarrow{c} \) is:

      • \( \frac{\pi}{6} \)
      • \( \frac{\pi}{4} \)
      • \( \frac{\pi}{3} \)
      • \( \frac{\pi}{2} \)

    • 2.

      Draw a rough sketch for the curve $y = 2 + |x + 1|$. Using integration, find the area of the region bounded by the curve $y = 2 + |x + 1|$, $x = -4$, $x = 3$, and $y = 0$.


        • 3.
          The integrating factor of the differential equation \( (x + 2y^3) \frac{dy}{dx} = 2y \) is:

            • \( e^{y^2} \)
            • \( \frac{1}{\sqrt{y}} \)
            • \( e^{-\frac{1}{y^2}} \)
            • \( e^{y^2} \)

          • 4.
            Evaluate : \[ I = \int_0^{\frac{\pi}{4}} \frac{dx}{\cos^3 x \sqrt{2 \sin 2x}} \]


              • 5.
                Let $|\vec{a}| = 5 \text{ and } -2 \leq \lambda \leq 1$. Then, the range of $|\lambda \vec{a}|$ is:

                  • [5, 10]
                  • [-2, 5]
                  • [-1, 5]
                  • [10, 5]

                • 6.
                  Let both $AB'$ and $B'A$ be defined for matrices $A$ and $B$. If the order of $A$ is $n \times m$, then the order of $B$ is:

                    • $n \times n$
                    • $n \times m$
                    • $m \times m$
                    • $m \times n$
                  CBSE CLASS XII Previous Year Papers

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