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Question

Q.Degree of the differential equation sin⁡x+cos⁡(dydx)=y2\sin x + \cos\left(\frac{dy}{dx}\right) = y^2 is:

(a) 2
(b) 1
(c) not defined
(d) 0
CBSECBSE Class XII Board 2023MCQ· 1mImportance★★★★★
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The degree of a differential equation is defined only when it is a polynomial in the derivatives. Since cos⁡(dydx)\cos\left(\frac{dy}{dx}\right) is a transcendental function of the derivative, the equation is not a polynomial in dydx\frac{dy}{dx}, so its degree is not defined. The correct option is (c).

The degree of a differential equation is a surprisingly subtle idea. Many students rush to count the highest power of the highest-order derivative, but that only works when the equation is a polynomial in the derivatives. If the equation contains terms like sin⁡(y′)\sin(y'), cos⁡(y′)\cos(y'), ey′e^{y'}, or log⁡(y′)\log(y'), the very notion of "degree" breaks down — because these are not polynomial expressions.

Let’s see why this matters here.


  1. Identify the order first. The given equation is:

sin⁡x+cos⁡(dydx)=y2\sin x + \cos\left(\frac{dy}{dx}\right) = y^2

The highest derivative present is dydx\frac{dy}{dx} (first derivative). So the order is 1. That’s straightforward.

  1. Now check if the equation is a polynomial in the derivative.

    For degree to be defined, the equation must be expressible as a polynomial in dydx\frac{dy}{dx} (after clearing radicals, if any). Here, the term cos⁡(dydx)\cos\left(\frac{dy}{dx}\right) is a cosine of the derivative. No amount of algebraic manipulation will turn cos⁡(y′)\cos(y') into a polynomial in y′y' — it’s a transcendental function.

  2. Apply the definition.

    The standard definition (NCERT, CBSE, and all major boards) states:

    The degree of a differential equation is the power of the highest-order derivative, provided the equation is a polynomial equation in derivatives.

    Since cos⁡(y′)\cos(y') is not a polynomial in y′y', the condition fails. Therefore, the degree is not defined. …

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