Q.Form the differential equation by eliminating A and B in Ax2+By2=1.
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🔒 Start your 14-day free trial to unlock the full solution →Concept understanding — Eliminating Arbitrary Constant
Eliminating Arbitrary Constants – The Core Idea
Consider a family of curves — say all circles centred at the origin: x2+y2=r2. Here r is an arbitrary constant: each value gives one specific circle, but the whole family shares the same shape.
Suppose you're asked: "What differential equation does every member satisfy?" You need to eliminate the arbitrary constant r to get an equation that holds for all such circles, regardless of r.
That is the goal: start with an equation containing arbitrary constants, differentiate enough times to remove them, and obtain a differential equation representing the whole family.
Why Differentiate?
Arbitrary constants are constants — their derivative is zero. So differentiating either makes the constant disappear or lets you eliminate it by combining the original equation with its derivatives.
Differentiate x2+y2=r2 with respect to x: 2x+2ydxdy=0. Divide by 2:
x+ydxdy=0
The constant r is gone. The differential equation x+yy′=0 is satisfied by every circle centred at the origin.
We needed one differentiation because there was one arbitrary constant. In general, n arbitrary constants require n differentiations.
The Precise Statement
Eliminating arbitrary constants means: given an equation involving x, y, and n arbitrary constants, differentiate it n times (with respect to the independent variable) and then algebraically eliminate the n constants from the system of n+1 equations (the original plus the n derivatives). The result is an n-th order ordinary differential equation representing the entire family of curves.
A Second Example (Two Constants)
Take all curves y=Ax+Bx2, where A and B are arbitrary constants.
Differentiate once: y′=A+2Bx
Differentiate again: y′′=2B
Now we have three equations:
- y=Ax+Bx2
- y′=A+2Bx
- y′′=2B
From (3), B=2y′′. Substitute into (2): y′=A+xy′′, so A=y′−xy′′.
Substitute A and B into (1):
y=(y′−xy′′)x+(2y′′)x2=xy′−2x2y′′
Multiply through by 2 and rearrange:
x2y′′−2xy′+2y=0
This second-order ODE is satisfied by every curve y=Ax+Bx2, no matter what A and B are.
A common mistake: trying to eliminate constants by substitution before differentiating enough times. You must differentiate first, then eliminate — substituting too early loses information.
Why This Matters …
Concept: Eliminating arbitrary constants by differentiating until both constants vanish, then combining equations.
We have Ax2+By2=1. Differentiate once:
2Ax+2Byy′=0⇒Ax+Byy′=0.
Differentiate again (using product rule on Byy′):
A+B(y′2+yy′′)=0.
From Ax+Byy′=0, we get A=−Byy′/x. Substitute into A+B(y′2+yy′′)=0: …
Eliminating two arbitrary constants A and B from Ax2+By2=1 requires two derivatives (since two constants need two equations to eliminate them). Differentiating twice and solving yields the differential equation xydx2d2y+x(dxdy)2−ydxdy=0.
The core idea: when a relation contains arbitrary constants, each differentiation introduces a new equation linking the constants to derivatives. To eliminate n constants, you need n differentiations (giving n+1 equations total, including the original). Here we have two constants A and B, so we differentiate twice.
Why this works: The original equation is a family of curves — each choice of A and B gives a specific curve. The differential equation we seek is the common property shared by all curves in that family, independent of A and B. Differentiating strips away the constants layer by layer, leaving only relationships between x, y, and derivatives.
Let’s go step by step.
1. Start with the given equation
Ax2+By2=1
This is our base. A and B are the constants to eliminate.
2. Differentiate once with respect to x
Treat y as a function of x. Differentiating term by term:
- Derivative of Ax2 is 2Ax
- Derivative of By2 is B⋅2y⋅dxdy (chain rule)
- Derivative of 1 is 0
So we get:
2Ax+2Bydxdy=0
Divide through by 2:
Ax+Bydxdy=0(Equation 1)
3. Differentiate again (second derivative)
Differentiate Equation 1 with respect to x. Use the product rule on Ax (gives A) and on Bydxdy:
- Derivative of Bydxdy: treat B as constant. Use product rule: B[dxdy⋅dxdy+y⋅dx2d2y]=B[(dxdy)2+ydx2d2y]
So differentiating Equation 1 gives:
A+B[(dxdy)2+ydx2d2y]=0(Equation 2)
4. Now we have three equations: original, (1), and (2) — but only two constants to eliminate
We need to eliminate A and B from these. A clean method: solve for A and B from two equations and substitute into the third.
From Equation 1: Ax=−Bydxdy, so A=−xBydxdy (provided x=0).
Substitute this A into Equation 2:
−xBydxdy+B[(dxdy)2+ydx2d2y]=0
Factor B (assuming B=0, otherwise the original equation reduces to Ax2=1 which is a different family — but we want the general case): …
Method: Eliminating two constants from a conic family
Use this to form the differential equation of a two-parameter conic family such as Ax2+By2=1.
Steps
Step 1: Differentiate once
Because there are two constants, expect a second-order DE. First differentiation gives 2Ax+2Byy′=0, i.e. Ax+Byy′=0.
Step 2: Differentiate again …
Common Mistakes
Mistake 1: Differentiating only once for two constants
Why it's wrong: Ax2+By2=1 has two constants, so a second-order DE is required. Correct approach: differentiate twice.
Mistake 2: Forgetting the product rule on Byy′
Why it's wrong: dxd(Byy′)=B(y′2+yy′′); dropping y′2 gives the wrong DE. Correct approach: differentiate the product fully. …
Showing the 12 most recent of 21 on this concept.
- AP EAPCET 2024Set eng-2024-05-23-FN1 markMCQQ.The differential equation for which ax+by=1 is general solution is (A) dxdy=x+c (B) ydx2d2y+x=1 (C) dx2d2y=0 (D) dx3d3y=0
›Reveal solutionSolution
Two arbitrary constants means two differentiations to eliminate them; doing so on ax+by=1 leaves the trivial equation y′′=0.
Concept and Intuition
To find the differential equation whose general solution is a given family, differentiate the family's equation as many times as there are arbitrary constants, then eliminate those constants using the resulting equations. Here a,b are 2 independent constants, so 2 differentiations (and eliminating a and b) should produce a second-order DE free of both constants.
Step-by-Step Solution
- Start with ax+by=1.
- Differentiate w.r.t. x: a+by′=0 — (i)
- Differentiate (i) again w.r.t. x: since a is a constant, dxd(a)=0, so by′′=0.
- Since b is (generically) nonzero for a genuine two-parameter family, this forces y′′=0, i.e. dx2d2y=0. …
- AP EAPCET 2026Set eng-2026-05-14-FN1 markMCQQ.If a and h are arbitrary constants, then the differential equation corresponding to the family of curves ax2+2hxy=1 is (A) x2dx2d2y+xdxdy+y=0 (B) x2dx2d2y−xdxdy+y=0 (C) x2dx2d2y+xdxdy−y=0 (D) x2dx2d2y−xdxdy−y=0
›Reveal solutionSolution
With two arbitrary constants a,h, we differentiate the family twice and eliminate both constants between the resulting equations, landing on x2y′′+xy′−y=0.
Concept and Intuition
A family of curves with n independent arbitrary constants satisfies a differential equation of order n (generically), obtained by differentiating the family n times and eliminating the constants among the original equation and its derivatives. Here there are two constants (a and h), so we expect (and need) a second-order ODE.
Step-by-Step Solution
- Start with ax2+2hxy=1.
- Differentiate once w.r.t. x:
2ax+2h(xy′+y)=0⟹ax+h(xy′+y)=0...(I)
- Differentiate (I) again w.r.t. x:
a+h(xy′′+y′+y′)=0⟹a+h(xy′′+2y′)=0...(II)
- From (I): a=−xh(xy′+y) (for x=0).
- Substitute into (II):
−xh(xy′+y)+h(xy′′+2y′)=0
- Divide through by h (assuming h=0) and multiply by x:
−(xy′+y)+x2y′′+2xy′=0
- Simplify: …
- AP EAPCET 2026Set eng-2026-05-15-AN1 markMCQQ.The differential equation obtained by eliminating A and B from the equation y=A(x+B)2 which represents a family of curves (A) 2yy′′=(y′)2 (B) yy′′=2y′ (C) 2yy′′=y′+y (D) 2yy′′=y′−y
›Reveal solutionSolution
Differentiating the two-parameter family y=A(x+B)2 twice and eliminating A,B algebraically yields the differential equation 2yy′′=(y′)2.
Concept and Intuition
A family of curves with n arbitrary constants generally satisfies an nth-order differential equation obtained by differentiating n times and eliminating the constants. Here there are two constants (A and B), so we differentiate twice and use the original equation plus its first and second derivatives to eliminate both.
Step-by-Step Solution
- Given y=A(x+B)2.
- Differentiate once: y′=2A(x+B).
- Differentiate again: y′′=2A, so A=2y′′.
- From step 2, solve for (x+B): (x+B)=2Ay′=y′′y′ (substituting 2A=y′′). …
- AP EAPCET 2025Set eng-2025-05-21-FN1 markMCQQ.The differential equation corresponding to the family of parabolas whose axis is along x=1 is (A) dx2d2y−(x−1)dxdy=0 (B) (x−1)dx2d2y−dxdy=0 (C) dx2d2y+(x−1)dxdy−y=0 (D) (x−1)dx2d2y+dxdy=0
›Reveal solutionSolution
This tests forming a differential equation by eliminating arbitrary constants from a family of curves; the answer is (B).
Concept and Intuition
A family of parabolas with a fixed vertical axis x=1 has the general equation y=a(x−1)2+b, where a (controls width/orientation) and b (vertical shift of vertex) are the two free parameters. Since there are 2 arbitrary constants, we need a 2nd-order ODE to eliminate them completely.
Step-by-Step Solution
- Write the family: y=a(x−1)2+b.
- Differentiate once: dxdy=2a(x−1).
- Differentiate again: dx2d2y=2a, so a=21dx2d2y.
- Substitute this back into the first derivative relation: dxdy=(dx2d2y)(x−1).
- Rearranging: (x−1)dx2d2y−dxdy=0, which eliminates both a and b (note b already dropped out automatically after the first derivative). …
- AP EAPCET 2025Set eng-2025-05-26-AN1 markMCQQ.If a and b are arbitrary constants, then the differential equation corresponding to the family of curves y=tan(ax+b) is (A) (1+x2)y2−2yy1+y=0 (B) (1+y2)y2−2yy12=0 (C) (1+x2)y2+2yy12=0 (D) (1+y2)y2−2yy12+y=0
›Reveal solutionSolution
Differentiating y=tan(ax+b) twice and eliminating the arbitrary constant a (using sec2=1+tan2) directly gives the second-order ODE (1+y2)y2−2yy12=0.
Concept and Intuition
A 2-parameter family of curves satisfies a second-order differential equation obtained by differentiating twice and eliminating both arbitrary constants. Since b only shifts the argument (it never appears explicitly after one differentiation of tan), only a needs eliminating here.
Step-by-Step Solution
- y=tan(ax+b). First derivative: y1=asec2(ax+b)=a(1+tan2(ax+b))=a(1+y2).
- So a=1+y2y1 — note b has already dropped out.
- Differentiate y1=a(1+y2) again with respect to x: y2=a⋅2yy1 (since a is constant).
- Substitute a=1+y2y1: y2=1+y2y1⋅2yy1=1+y22yy12. …
- AP EAPCET 2024Set eng-2024-05-22-AN1 markMCQQ.The differential equation of the family of hyperbolas having their centres at origin and their axes along the coordinates axes is (A) xyy2+xy12−yy1=0 (B) xy2−xyy12+yy1=0 (C) xyy2+xy12+yy1=0 (D) xy2+xy12−yy1=0
›Reveal solutionSolution
Differentiating the two-parameter hyperbola family a2x2−b2y2=1 twice and eliminating a2,b2 gives xyy2+xy12−yy1=0, option (A).
Concept and Intuition
A family of curves with n independent arbitrary constants satisfies an n-th order differential equation obtained by differentiating n times and eliminating the constants. Here the hyperbola family centred at the origin with axes along the coordinate axes has two constants a,b, so we need two differentiations.
Step-by-Step Solution
- Family: a2x2−b2y2=1.
- Differentiate once: a22x−b22yy1=0⇒a2x=b2yy1⇒b2a2=yy1x.
- Differentiate again: a21−b2(y12+yy2)=0⇒a21=b2y12+yy2.
- Divide the two boxed relations (both equal to a ratio of 1/a2 terms with 1/b2 factored) to eliminate a2,b2 entirely:
x=⋯a2⋅b2yy1/a21 ⇒ x=y12+yy2yy1
(dividing the step-2 relation by the step-3 relation directly cancels a2/b2). …
- AP EAPCET 2025Set eng-2025-05-23-FN1 markMCQQ.The differential equation for which y2=4a(x+a) (a is the parameter) is the general solution is (A) y=2xdxdy+y(dxdy)2 (B) y=ydxdy−x(dxdy)2 (C) x=3dxdy+y(dxdy)2 (D) y=3x2dxdy+y2(dxdy)2
›Reveal solutionSolution
This tests eliminating the arbitrary constant from a one-parameter family to get its differential equation. Differentiate once, solve for a, substitute back. Answer: (A).
Concept and Intuition
A family of curves with n independent parameters satisfies a differential equation of order n. Here only a is a parameter, so one differentiation should let us eliminate it completely and land back on a relation purely in x,y,y′.
Step-by-Step Solution
- Start with y2=4a(x+a)=4ax+4a2.
- Differentiate both sides with respect to x (treating a as constant):
2ydxdy=4a⟹a=21ydxdy.
- Substitute this expression for a back into the original equation to eliminate a:
y2=4x(21yy′)+4(21yy′)2=2xyy′+y2(y′)2.
- Divide throughout by y (valid away from y=0):
y=2xdxdy+y(dxdy)2.
- This matches option (A) exactly. …
- AP EAPCET 2024Set eng-2024-05-21-FN1 markMCQQ.The differential equation formed by eliminating a and b from the equation y=ae2x+bxe2x is (A) y′′−4y′−4y=0 (B) y′′+4y′−4y=0 (C) y′′+4y′+4y=0 (D) y′′−4y′+4y=0
›Reveal solutionSolution
The form y=(a+bx)e2x is the textbook general solution for a repeated characteristic root r=2, so the corresponding differential equation is read off directly from (r−2)2=0.
Concept and Intuition
Whenever a family of functions has the shape (a+bx)erx, it is exactly the general solution of a second-order linear ODE with constant coefficients whose characteristic equation has a repeated root at r. Recognizing this shape avoids needing to differentiate twice and eliminate constants by hand.
Step-by-Step Solution
- y=ae2x+bxe2x=(a+bx)e2x — this is the standard form for a repeated root r=2 of the auxiliary equation.
- The auxiliary equation with repeated root 2 is (r−2)2=0⇒r2−4r+4=0.
- This corresponds to the ODE y′′−4y′+4y=0. …
- AP EAPCET 2024Set eng-2024-05-18-FN1 markMCQQ.The differential equation representing the family of circles having their centres on Y-axis is (y1=dxdy and y2=dx2d2y) (A) y2=y(y12+1) (B) y2=xy(y12+1) (C) xy2=y1(y12+1) (D) xy2=y(y12+1)
›Reveal solutionSolution
Eliminating the two constants k (center) and a (radius) from x2+(y−k)2=a2 via two differentiations yields xy2=y1(y12+1).
Concept and Intuition
A family of curves with n independent arbitrary constants satisfies a differential equation of order n obtained by differentiating n times and eliminating the constants. Circles centered anywhere on the Y-axis have two free parameters — the center's y-coordinate k and the radius a — so we need exactly two differentiations.
Step-by-Step Solution
- General equation of a circle with center (0,k) and radius a: x2+(y−k)2=a2.
- Differentiate once w.r.t. x: 2x+2(y−k)y1=0⇒x+(y−k)y1=0⇒(y−k)=−y1x.
- Differentiate again: 1+y1⋅y1+(y−k)y2=0, i.e. 1+y12+(y−k)y2=0.
- Substitute (y−k)=−x/y1 from step 2: 1+y12−y1xy2=0. …
- AP EAPCET 2022Set eng-2022-07-08-FN1 markMCQQ.If the differential equation obtained by eliminating A, B from y=(sin−1x)2+Acos−1x+B is (a−x2)y′′−xy′=b, then b−ab+a= (A) 2 (B) −2 (C) 3 (D) −3
›Reveal solutionSolution
Differentiating the given function twice eliminates both arbitrary constants and produces (1−x2)y′′−xy′=2; matching gives a=1,b=2 and b−ab+a=3.
Concept and Intuition
A function with two arbitrary constants (A,B) satisfies a second-order differential equation obtained by differentiating twice (removing both constants). We just need to carry out that differentiation carefully, using dxdsin−1x=1−x21 and dxdcos−1x=1−x2−1.
Step-by-Step Solution
- y=(sin−1x)2+Acos−1x+B.
- First derivative: y′=2sin−1x⋅1−x21−1−x2A=1−x22sin−1x−A.
- Rearrange: y′1−x2=2sin−1x−A — this has eliminated B and still contains A (as an additive constant), but note the combination is now clean.
- Differentiate again: y′′1−x2+y′⋅1−x2−x=1−x22. …
- AP EAPCET 2024Set eng-2024-05-21-AN1 markMCQQ.The differential equation formed by eliminating arbitrary constants A,B from the equation y=Acos3x+Bsin3x is (A) dx2d2y+y=0 (B) dx2d2y+9y=0 (C) dx2d2y−9y=0 (D) dx2d2y−y=0
›Reveal solutionSolution
Since y=Acos3x+Bsin3x, differentiating twice reproduces −9y, giving y′′+9y=0.
Concept and Intuition
For y=Acos(kx)+Bsin(kx), each differentiation brings down a factor of k and eventually y′′=−k2y — the signature ODE of simple harmonic motion with angular frequency k.
Step-by-Step Solution
- y=Acos3x+Bsin3x.
- y′=−3Asin3x+3Bcos3x.
- y′′=−9Acos3x−9Bsin3x=−9(Acos3x+Bsin3x)=−9y.
- So y′′+9y=0. …
- AP EAPCET 2022Set eng-2022-07-07-FN1 markMCQQ.The differential equation of the family of circles passing through (0, 0) and having centre on x-axis is (A) 2xydxdy+x2−y2=0 (B) (dxdy)2+ydx2d2y+1=0 (C) xydxdy+y2−x2=0 (D) dxdy=x−yx+y
›Reveal solutionSolution
Eliminating the one-parameter family's constant h (the centre's x-coordinate) between the circle equation and its derivative gives 2xyy′+x2−y2=0.
Concept and Intuition
A family of circles through the origin with centres on the x-axis is a one-parameter family (parameter h, the centre). To get its differential equation, differentiate the family once (matching the one free parameter) and eliminate h between the original equation and the derived one.
Step-by-Step Solution
- Circle centred at (h,0) through origin: radius = distance from centre to origin =h. Equation: (x−h)2+y2=h2⇒x2+y2−2hx=0.
- Differentiate w.r.t. x: 2x+2yy′−2h=0⇒h=x+yy′.
- From the original equation, h=2xx2+y2.
- Equate: x+yy′=2xx2+y2. Multiply by 2x: 2x2+2xyy′=x2+y2. …
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