Q.The order and degree of the differential equation (dx2d2y)3−3dx3d3y+2(dxdy)4=y4 are:
(A) 1, 4
(B) 3, 4
(C) 2, 4
(D) 3, 2
🔒You're viewing a preview — the full solution, concept, methods & PYQ mapping are locked.
🔒 Start your 14-day free trial to unlock the full solution →Concept understanding — Order Of Differential Equation
Order of a Differential Equation
A differential equation involves an unknown function together with its derivatives dxdy,dx2d2y,dx3d3y,…. The order of the equation is simply the order of the highest derivative that appears in it.
So to find the order, scan the equation, find the most-differentiated term, and read off how many times y has been differentiated there.
Some examples
- dxdy+3y=0 — the highest derivative is the first derivative, so the order is 1.
- dx2d2y+5(dxdy)3+y=0 — the highest derivative present is dx2d2y, so the order is 2. (The cube on dxdy is a power, not a higher order.)
- (dx3d3y)2+dx2d2y=sinx — the highest is the third derivative, so the order is 3.
Do not confuse order with degree. Order = the order of the highest derivative present. Degree = the power of that highest-order derivative once the equation is written free of radicals and fractions in the derivatives. Raising a derivative to a power changes the degree, never the order.
Why order matters …
Order: the highest derivative present is dx3d3y, so the order is 3.
Degree: the equation is already polynomial in its derivatives, and the highest-order derivative dx3d3y appears to the first power (in the term −3dx3d3y), so the degree is 1. …
The equation has order 3 and degree 1; that pair (3,1) is not among the four listed options, so the item as printed is flawed.
The equation is
(dx2d2y)3−3dx3d3y+2(dxdy)4=y4.
Order
Scan for the highest derivative. The derivatives present are dxdy, dx2d2y and dx3d3y; the highest is the third derivative. So the order is 3.
Degree …
Method: Determine order and degree of a differential equation
Use this classification before choosing any solving technique.
Steps
Step 1: Order = the highest derivative that appears.
Scan every term and pick the most-differentiated one. A third derivative present anywhere makes the order 3, regardless of the powers on lower derivatives.
Step 2: Check the equation is polynomial in the derivatives.
There must be no radicals, no fractional powers, and no derivative trapped inside a transcendental function. Only then is the degree defined. …
Common Mistakes
Mistake 1: Taking the degree from a lower-order derivative's power.
Why it's wrong: the cube on dx2d2y and the fourth power on dxdy tempt answers of degree 4 (options A–C). Degree is the power of the highest-order derivative, which is dx3d3y, appearing here to the first power. Correct approach: order =3, degree =1. …
- KEAM 2026Set eng-2026-04204 marksMCQQ.The order and degree of the differential Equation (1+dxdy+dx2d2y)23=(x+y+dxdy+dx3d3y)32 respectively, are (A) 4 and 2 (B) 3 and 3 (C) 3 and 4 (D) 2 and 3 (E) 3 and 2
›Reveal solutionSolution
Order = highest derivative; degree = its power after removing fractional exponents.
The highest derivative present is dx3d3y, so the order is 3. …
- KEAM 2025Set eng-2025-04294 marksMCQQ.The order and degree of differential equation 51+dx2d2y=4(y+(dxdy)5), respectively, are (A) 2,5 (B) 2,4 (C) 2,3 (D) 4,5 (E) 4,4
›Reveal solutionSolution
Order =2 (from y′′); after clearing the radicals the power of y′′ is 4, so degree =4. Answer (2,4).
Order. The highest-order derivative present is dx2d2y, so the order is 2.
Degree. The equation is
(1+dx2d2y)1/5=(y+(dxdy)5)1/4.
Degree requires the equation to be a polynomial in the derivatives. Raise both sides to the power 20 (LCM of 5 and 4): …
- KEAM 2024Set eng-2024-06094 marksMCQQ.The degree of the differential equation (y′′′)2+(siny′)4+y=0 is (A) 1 (B) 2 (C) 3 (D) 4 (E) not defined
›Reveal solutionSolution
Degree requires a polynomial form in the derivatives; the (siny′)4 term makes that impossible, so the degree is not defined.
The degree of a differential equation is defined only when it is a polynomial in all its derivatives. …
- KEAM 2026Set eng-2026-04224 marksMCQQ.The order and the degree of the differential equation 2dxdy−3x=(2y−xdxdy)−3 respectively, are (A) 1 and 1 (B) 1 and 3 (C) 1 and 4 (D) 2 and 3 (E) 2 and 4
›Reveal solutionSolution
Rationalise the negative power, then read off the order (highest derivative) and degree (its highest power).
Given 2dxdy−3x=(2y−xdxdy)−3.
Multiply through by (2y−xy′)3: (2y′−3x)(2y−xy′)3=1.
The highest-order derivative is y′, so the order is 1. …
- KEAM 2024Set eng-2024-06084 marksMCQQ.The order and degree of the following differential equation dx2d2y−2x=y+dxdy respectively, are (A) 2,2 (B) 2,1 (C) 1,2 (D) 4,2 (E) 1,1
›Reveal solutionSolution
Order =2 from dx2d2y; rationalizing the square root raises this second derivative to power 2, so degree =2.
The equation is
dx2d2y−2x=y+dxdy.
Order: the highest-order derivative present is dx2d2y, so the order is 2.
Degree: degree is the power of the highest-order derivative after the equation is made polynomial (free of radicals) in its derivatives. Squaring both sides: …
- KEAM 2025Set eng-2025-04264 marksMCQQ.The elimination of arbitrary constants c1,c2,c3 and c4 from y=(c1+c2)sin(x+c3)−c4ex gives a differential equation of order (A) 1 (B) 2 (C) 3 (D) 4 (E) 5
›Reveal solutionSolution
Count the number of essential (independent) arbitrary constants.
Write A=c1+c2 (a single constant). Then
y=Asin(x+c3)−c4ex=(Acosc3)sinx+(Asinc3)cosx−c4ex. …
- KEAM 2025Set eng-2025-04274 marksMCQQ.The elimination of arbitrary constants c1,c2,c3,c4 from y=(c1+c2)sin(2x+c3)+c4e5x gives a differential equation of order (A) 2 (B) 4 (C) 3 (D) 1 (E) 5
›Reveal solutionSolution
Although four letters appear, c1 and c2 only occur as the sum c1+c2, so there are effectively 3 independent arbitrary constants and the differential equation has order 3.
In y=(c1+c2)sin(2x+c3)+c4e5x, the constants c1 and c2 appear solely through their sum A=c1+c2, which behaves as one arbitrary constant.
Thus the genuinely independent arbitrary constants are:
- the amplitude A=c1+c2,
- the phase c3, …
🎓Unlock everything free for 14 days
- ✓Full step-by-step solutions
- ✓Concept-first explanations
- ✓Methods, shortcuts & mistakes
- ✓PYQ mapping + timed mock tests
Full access for 14 days. No credit card required.