Q.Write the order and degree of the differential equation .
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Start your 14-day free trial to unlock the full solution →The order of a differential equation is the highest derivative present; the degree is the power of that highest derivative when the equation is polynomial in all derivatives. Here, order is and degree is .
Understanding Order and Degree
The order of a differential equation tells you the highest number of times you've differentiated the dependent variable. It's the "deepest" derivative that appears.
The degree is subtler: once you've cleared radicals and fractions involving derivatives (making the equation polynomial in all its derivatives), the degree is the exponent on the highest-order derivative. Think of it as the algebraic degree of the "leading term" when you view the equation as a polynomial in derivatives.
Finding the Order
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Identify all derivatives present.
The equation is:
We see (the fourth derivative) and (the first derivative).
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Pick the highest order.
The highest derivative is , which is a fourth-order derivative.
Order = .
Finding the Degree
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Check if the equation is polynomial in all derivatives.
The equation is already in a form where no derivative appears under a radical or in a denominator. Both sides are polynomial expressions in the derivatives:
- Left side: is the fourth derivative raised to power .
- Right side: expands to terms involving powers of , but the highest-order derivative only appears on the left.
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Determine the power of the highest-order derivative. …
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