Q6: Order plus degree of
If m and n, respectively, are the order and the degree of the differential equation
then m + n =
(a)
(b)
(c)
(d)
Reading the equation as , as the scheme does:
Why?
As printed, the power 4 is written outside the square bracket. The bracket holds only , so it is the same as , and acts on that power.
Watch out: do not read it as . That has order 2 and degree 4, so , which is not an option.
Why?
Differentiate by the chain rule, with :
The derivative of is , which gives the line above.
The highest order derivative is , so . Its power is 1, so .
Why?
The order is the order of the highest derivative present. The degree is the power of that highest derivative, once the equation is a polynomial in its derivatives, as it is here.
Watch out: the cube belongs to , which is not the highest derivative, so it does not set the degree.
Answer: (c)
Chapter 9, Differential Equations: Order and degree of a differential equation.
Question type: Order and degree
How to spot it: click to see
Type 1. Order and degree: the highest derivative, and its power
Spot it: "find the order and degree (if defined)". Often an MCQ.
Here: Differentiate the bracket first: . The highest derivative, , has power 1, so and .
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Differential Equations in past papers: question 24 of 31 · see them all