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CBSE Sample Paper 2022-23 · Section A · 1 mark

Q6: Order plus degree of ddx[(dydx)4]=0\frac{d}{dx}\left[\left(\frac{dy}{dx}\right)^4\right] = 0

The question

If m and n, respectively, are the order and the degree of the differential equation

ddx[(dydx)]4=0,\frac{d}{dx}\left[\left(\frac{dy}{dx}\right)\right]^4 = 0,

then m + n =

(a) 11

(b) 22

(c) 33

(d) 44

Exam answer

Reading the equation as ddx[(dydx)4]=0\frac{d}{dx}\left[\left(\frac{dy}{dx}\right)^4\right] = 0⁠, as the scheme does:

Why?

As printed, the power 4 is written outside the square bracket. The bracket holds only dydx\frac{dy}{dx}⁠, so it is the same as (dydx)4\left(\frac{dy}{dx}\right)^4⁠, and ddx\frac{d}{dx} acts on that power.

Watch out: do not read it as (d2ydx2)4=0\left(\frac{d^2y}{dx^2}\right)^4 = 0⁠. That has order 2 and degree 4, so m+n=6m + n = 6⁠, which is not an option.

4(dydx)3d2ydx2=04\left(\frac{dy}{dx}\right)^3\frac{d^2y}{dx^2} = 0
Why?

Differentiate (dydx)4\left(\frac{dy}{dx}\right)^4 by the chain rule, with u=dydxu = \frac{dy}{dx}⁠:

ddx(u4)=4u3dudx\frac{d}{dx}\left(u^4\right) = 4u^3\frac{du}{dx}

The derivative of dydx\frac{dy}{dx} is d2ydx2\frac{d^2y}{dx^2}⁠, which gives the line above.

The highest order derivative is d2ydx2\frac{d^2y}{dx^2}⁠, so m=2m = 2⁠. Its power is 1, so n=1n = 1⁠.

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 dydx\frac{dy}{dx}⁠, which is not the highest derivative, so it does not set the degree.

∴ m+n=3\therefore\ m + n = 3

Answer: (c) 33

Where this comes from

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: 4(dydx)3d2ydx2=04\left(\frac{dy}{dx}\right)^3\frac{d^2y}{dx^2} = 0⁠. The highest derivative, d2ydx2\frac{d^2y}{dx^2}⁠, has power 1, so m=2m = 2 and n=1n = 1⁠.

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