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3.0 LEARNING OUTCOMES

After completion of this unit the students will be able to
 Determine order and degree of a differential equation.
 Solve the differential equation and understand the difference between general
and particular solution
 Form differential equation by eliminating arbitrary constants.
 Formulate physical problem in terms of mathematical model and find its solution

Concept Map

Differential Equations and Modeling 3c.1

 3.10 Differential equations
For a given function,

where

An equation of the form (1) is known as differential equation.

These equations arise in various applications, may it be in Physics, Chemistry, Biology,
Anthropology, Geology, Economics etc.
Hence an in-depth study of differential equation has assumed great importance in all the modern
scientific investigations.
Let us give a formal definition of differential equation:
An equation involving derivative(s) of the dependent variable with respect to the independent
variable(s) is called a differential equation.
A differential equation involving derivatives of the dependent variable with respect to only one
independent variable is called an ordinary differential equation.
Some examples of ordinary differential equations are as follows

3.10.1 Order of a Differential Equation

The order of differential equation is defined as the highest ordered derivative of the dependent
variable with respect to the independent variable involved in the differential equation.
The differential equations (1), (2), (3), (4) and (5) mentioned earlier involve the highest derivative
of first, third, second, second and third order respectively. Therefore the order of these differential
equations is 1, 3, 2, 2 and 3 respectively.

3.10.2 Degree of a Differential Equation

For the degree of a differential equation to be defined it must be a polynomial equation in its

derivatives i.e., etc.

3c.2 Applied Mathematics

 The degree of a differential equation, when it is a polynomial equation in its derivatives is the
highest power (positive integral index) of the highest order derivative involved in the differential
equation. We observe that differential equations (1), (2), (3) and (5) are polynomial equations in its

derivatives therefore their degrees are defined. But equation (4) is not a polynomial equation in ,
therefore its degree is not defined.
In view of the above definition, the differential equation (1), (2), (3) and (5) have degrees 1, 1,
1 and 2 respectively.

Example 1
Find the order and degree (if defined) of the following differential equations:

(i) where k is a scalar

(ii)

(iii)

(iv)

Solutions:

(i)

The highest order derivative present is and it is raised to power 1. So its order is 1 and
degree is also 1.

(ii) = 0

The highest order derivative present is and it is raised to power 1. So its order is 2 and
degree is 1.

(iii) =

The highest order derivative present is and it is raised to power 2. So its order is 2 and
degree is also 2.

(iv)

The highest order derivative present is and it is raised to power 1. So its order is 1 and
degree is also 1.

Differential Equations and Modeling 3c.3

 Exercise 1
Determine the order and degree (if defined) of the following differential equations:

1.

2.

3.

4.

5. where

3.10.3 General and particular solutions of a Differential Equation

In earlier classes, we have done questions based on finding the solutions of the equations of the
types:
x2 + x – 2 = 0 ...(1)
cos x + sin 2x = 0 ...(2)
Solution of these equations is real numbers that satisfy the given equations. On substituting these
numbers for the unknown x, the two sides of the equation becomes equal.

Now consider the differential equation, . The function is a solution of

this differential equation. It is in fact a particular solution.
Let us consider a general form of this solution
i.e., where is an arbitrary constant

The function consists of one arbitrary constant (parameter) and is called the
general solution of the given differential equation.
Let us consider another function
and are called arbitrary constants.
On differentiating, we get

……… (1)

…….. (2)

(2) - (1) gives

3c.4 Applied Mathematics

 The curve is called the solution curve (integral curve) of the differential equation so
obtained.
If are given some particular values say, , then

… (3)

… (4)

(4) - (3)

Since, does not contain any arbitrary constant therefore it is the particular
solutions of the differential equation. We conclude by giving the formal definitions of the solutions
of the differential equation.

3.10.4 General Solution

The function involving the variables and independent arbitrary constants is called the general
solution of the differential equation.
A general solution of the differential equation in two variables x and y and having two arbitrary
constants is of the form

3.10.5 Particular Solution

A solution obtained from the general solution by giving particular values to arbitrary constants
is called a particular solution of the differential equation. A particular solution in two variable
does not contain any arbitrary constant and is of the form,

Example 2
Verify that the function y = aebx is a solution of the differential equation

Solution : Given function is

… (1)
Differentiating both sides with respect to x, we get

… (2)

Differential Equations and Modeling 3c.5

 Differentiating again with respect to x, we get

... (3)

Substituting the value of from (1) and (3) in the differential equation, we get

LHS =

=
= 0 = RHS
Therefore, the given function is a solution of the differential equation.

Example 3
Verify that is the solution of the differential equation . Also determine the
solution curve of the given differential equation that passes through the point (0, 5)
Solution: We have,

… (1)

Differentiating both sides with respect to , we get

... (2)

Substituting value of and from (1) and (2) in the differential equation, we get

LHS = RHS

Therefore the function is a solution of the given differential equation.

To determine the solution curve passing through the point (0, 5) we find value of c first

Hence, is the equation of the solution curve.

Example 4

Verify that is a solution of the differential equation

Solution: We have,

Differentiating both sides with respect to , we get

3c.6 Applied Mathematics

 Differentiating again both sides with respect to x, we get

Substituting value of from (1), (2) and (3), we get:

LHS =

=
Therefore, the given function is a solution of the differential equation.

Example 5

Show that is a solution of the differential equation,

Solution: We have,

Differentiating both sides with respect to , we get

Also,

Substituting value of from (2) and (3) in the differential equation, we get

RHS =

= = LHS

Hence, is the solution of the given differential equation.

Differential Equations and Modeling 3c.7

 Exercise 2
Verify that given function (explicit or implicit) is a solution of the corresponding differential
equation (Q1 to 6)

1. :

2. :

3. :

4. :

where

5. :

6. :

7. Verify that the function, is a solution of the differential equation . Also

determine the value of the constant so that the solution curve of the given differential equation
passes through the point (0,1).

3.11. Formation of a Differential Equation

The equation of a circle having center at (2, 3) and radius 5 units is

Differentiating (1) with respect to , we get

Which is a differential equation representing the family of circles whose one member is a circle
represented by equation (1)
Now let us consider the equation
,

Where m is the slope and is the y-intercept.

By giving different values to the parameters m and c, we get different members of the family as
shown below:

3c.8 Applied Mathematics

 We are interested in finding a differential equation that is
satisfied by each member of the family. Further the equation must
be free of and
We have, y = mx + c

Differentiating both sides with respect to , we get

On differentiating again, we get

= 0 … (3)

The differential equation (3) represents the family of straight lines given by equation (2)

Note: Equation (2) is the general solution of the differential equation (3) and the differential equation is
independent of the arbitrary constants.

3.11.1 Steps to form a Differential Equation

Let us assume the given family of curves depends on the parameters (say) then it is
represented by an equation of the form:

Differentiating equation (1) with respect to , we get

But it is not possible to eliminate two parameters from two equations. So a third
equation is obtained by differentiating equation (2) with respect to to obtain a relation of the form:

The required differential equation is obtained by eliminating from equations (1), (2) and
(3) to get

Note: If the given family of curves has n parameters then it is to be differentiated n times to eliminate the
parameters and obtain the nth order differential equation.

Example 6
Form a differential equation representing the family of parabolas having vertex at origin and axis
along positive direction of y-axis.

Differential Equations and Modeling 3c.9

Solution:
Equation of family of such parabolas is
x2 = 4ay … (1)
Where is the parameter
Differentiating (1) with respect to x , we get

Eliminating from equations (1) and (2), we get

Example 7
Form a differential equation representing the family of curves given by
, where are arbitrary constants

Solution: We have,

Differentiating both sides of (1) with respect to we get

Differentiating again, we get

Example 8

Form the differential equation of the family of hyperbolas having foci on x-axis and Centre at origin.
Solution: The equation of the family of hyperbolas having foci on -axis and centre at origin is

Differentiating both sides of (1) with respect to we get

i.e.,

3c.10 Applied Mathematics

 Differentiating both sides of (2) with respect to we get

Exercise 3
1. Form the differential equation not containing the arbitrary constants and satisfied by the equation
, where is an arbitrary constant.
2. Find the differential equation of the family of circles having centre at origin.
3. Form the differential equation of the family of circles having centre on and passing through
origin.
4. Form the differential equation representing the family of curves , where are
arbitrary constants.
5. Find the differential equation representing the parabolas having their vertices at origin and foci on
positive direction of x-axis.
6. Form the differential equation of the family of ellipses having their foci on and centre at
the origin.

3.11.2 Solving simple differential equation

In this section we shall solve some simple ordinary differential equations of first order and first
degree

Case 1:

The differential equation (i) can be expressed as dy = F(x)dx

Integrating both sides, we get

where is an arbitrary constant

Case 2:

The differential equation can be expressed as

Integrating both sides, we get

, where c is arbitrary constant

Differential Equations and Modeling 3c.11

 Case 3:

If the differential equation can be expressed in the form:

then

Integrating both sides, we get

where is an arbitrary constant

Example 9

Find the general solution of the differential equation

Solution:

Example 10
Solve the differential equation:

Solution:

Example 11

Solve the differential equation:

Solution:

3c.12 Applied Mathematics

Example 12

Find the particular solution of the differential equation , given that when

Solution:
On integrating both sides, we get

Since when

Substituting, we get

Exercise 4
Find the general solution of the following differential equations given in Q.1 to 5

1.

2.

3.
4.

5.
6. Find the equation of the curve passing through the point (1, -1) whose differential equation is

Differential Equations and Modeling 3c.13

7. Solve given that

8. Find the particular solution of the differential equation given that when

3.12 Differential Equations and Mathematical Modeling

Introduction
Differential equations play a pivotal role in modern world ranging from, engineering to ecology
and from economics to biology.
Algebra is sufficient to solve many static problems, but the most interesting natural phenomenon
involve change and are described by equation that relate changing quantities known as differential
equation. Many real-world problems involve rate of change of a quantity. These problems can be
described by mathematical equations i.e., by mathematical models. Such, models have use in diverse
range of applications such as astronomy, medicine, social science, financial mathematics etc. these
mathematical models are examples of differential equations.

3.12.1 The process of Mathematical Modeling

In many natural phenomenon and real life applications a quantity changes at a rate proportional
to the amount present. In such cases the amount present at time t is a function of t. The steps to
be followed while solving mathematical modeling are as follows:
1. The formulation of a real-world problem in mathematical terms, i.e., the construction of a
mathematical model.
2. The solution of the mathematical problem.
3. The interpretation of the mathematical result in the context of the original problem.

Mathematical Model of Physical Problem

3c.14 Applied Mathematics

3.12.2 Growth and Decay Models
The mathematical model for exponential growth or decay is given by
or
Where: t represents time
A the original amount
y or f(t) represents the quantity at time t
k is a constant that depends on the rate of growth or decay
If k > 0, the formula represents exponential growth
If k < 0, the formula represents exponential decay

3.12.3 Population Growth

Suppose that is the number of individuals in a population (of humans or insects or bacteria)
having constant birth rate and constant death rate
Then the rate of change of population with respect to time is given by

- Where -

(Where
, for all real

Example.13
In a certain culture of bacteria the rate of increase is proportional to the number present. It is found
that there are 10,000 bacteria at the end of 3 hours and 40,000 bacteria at the end of 5 hours. How
many bacteria were present in the beginning?
Solution: Let be the number of bacteria after hours

Differential Equations and Modeling 3c.15

 ...(1) (where )

Dividing (3) by (2), we get

Substituting, in equation (2) we get

From (1) we get,

Now,
Hence we can say, there were 1250 bacteria in the beginning.

3.12.4 Compound Interest

A person deposits an amount at a time (in years) in a bank and suppose that the interest
is compounded continuously at an annual interest rate
To obtain the differential equation that governs the variation in the amount of money A in the
bank with time , we follow these steps:

During a short time interval the amount of interest added to the account is approximately
given by

3c.16 Applied Mathematics

 Where is the money deposited at

Example 14
Ms. Rajni deposited Rs.10,000 in a bank that pays 4% interest compounded continuously .
a) How much amount will she get after 10 years?
b) How long it will take the money to double?

Solution: We know,

At

So (1)  10,000=

Hence A=10,000

a) = 10,000 (using (2))

= 10,000 x 1.49182 = 14918.2

b) We have to find in which becomes

A=20,000. Using … (2)
20,000 = 10,000




3.12.5 Newton’s Law of Cooling

The rate of change of temperature T of a body is proportional to the difference between T and
the temperature of the surrounding medium A.

, where constant

If , then

 Temperature of the body is a decreasing function of time and

the body is cooling.

Differential Equations and Modeling 3c.17

 If

 Temperature of the body is an increasing function of time and the body is heating.

Remark:
1. The physical law is translated into a differential equation
2. If value of k and A are known, we can determine the temperature T of the body at any time t.

Example 15
A cake is taken out from an oven when its temperature has reached 185°F and is placed on a table
in a room whose temperature is 75°F. If the temperature of the cake reaches 150°F after half an hour,
what will be its temperature after 45 minutes?
Solution: Let T be the temperature of the cake after t minutes.
By Newton’s Law of cooling

, where is the constant of proportionality

 (Where =

Substituting in equation (1), we get

So,

Substituting, in equation (2), we get

Substituting, in equation (2), we get


 (Using (3))

Hence the temperature after 45 minutes is 137°F (approx.)

3c.18 Applied Mathematics

3.12.6 Carbon Dating
Carbon 14, also known as radiocarbon, is radioactive form
of carbon that is found in all living plants and animals. The
radiocarbon disintegrates after the plant or animal dies.
Scientists can find an estimate of age of the remains of
plants and animals by comparing the amount of radiocarbon
in it with those in living plants or animals. This technique is
called carbon dating. Cearbon-14 decays exponentially with a
half-life of approximately 5700 years, meaning that after 5700
years a given amount of carbon-14 will decay to half of its
original amount.
Let be the mass of carbon-14 after years

 (

Example 16
The amount of radiocarbon present after t years is given by

, where is the amount present in the living plants and animals.

a) Find the half-life of radiocarbon.

b) Charcoal from an ancient pit contained of the carbon-14 found in living sample of same
size. Estimate the age of the charcoal.
Solution:

a)

The half-life is 5700 years.

b)



Differential Equations and Modeling 3c.19

 



The charcoal is about 11,400 year old

3.12.7 Drug Assimilation into the blood

We readily take pills for diseases like common cold, headaches etc. without having a good
understanding of how these medicines are absorbed into the blood or for how long these have effects
on our body.
We study how these medicines are absorbed and extracted into the blood stream at different
rates.

Case of single common cold pill consumed

Procedure: When a pill is taken, it first dissolves into gastrointestinal tract (GI-tract) and each
ingredient is diffused into the blood. These are carried to different body parts on which they act and
are removed from the blood stream by kidneys and liver with different rates.

Drug diffuse tissues

GI-tract Blood

Intake
When a single pill is taken and no more drugs are taken later.

No constant Output
GI-tract
Input of drug

Rate of change of drug in GI-tract = (Rate of drug intake) - (Rate at which drug leaves the
GI Tract)
Let amount of drug at time t in GI-tract.
And x(0) = x0 = amount of drug taken initially

Rate of change of drug in GI-tract

where rate at which drug leaves the GI-tract

 …(1)

Substituting in (1), we get

3c.20 Applied Mathematics

 ,

where is a function of time and gives the amount of drug present in the blood stream
at the time t.

Example 17
Nembutal, a sodium salt (sodium pentobarbital) acts as a
sedative and has many applications. Suppose Nembutal is
used to anesthetize a dog. The dog is anesthetized when its
blood stream concentration contains at least 45mg of sodium
pentobarbital per kg of the dog’s body weight. If the rate of
change of sodium pentobarbital say, x in the body, is
proportional to the amount of drug present in the body.
Show that sodium pentobarbital is eliminated exponentially
from the dog’s blood stream given that its half-life is 5 hours.
What single dose should be administered in order to
anesthetize a 50 Kg dog for 1 hour?
Solution: let be the amount of drug at time

where is the rate at which the drug leaves the blood stream.

 , where

 where intial amount of drug

Since, half-life of drug=5 hours

For a dog that weight 50 kg the amount of drug in the body after 1 hour =(45mg/kg) x
50kg=2250 mg
From (1) 2250= (as

So a single dose of 2585 mg should be administered to anesthetize a 50kg dog for 1 hour.

Differential Equations and Modeling 3c.21

 Exercise 5
1. Find an exponential growth model, that satisfies the stated conditions:
i. y0 = 1 and doubling time t = 5 years.
ii. y(0) = 5 and growth rate = 2%
iii. y(1) = 1 and y(10) = 100
2. Gaurav deposited 5000 in an account paying 3% interest compounded continuously for 5 years.
i. Find the total amount at the end of 5 years.
ii. How long will it take for the money to double?
3. In a certain culture of bacteria, the number of bacteria increased 5 times in 10 hours. How long did
it take for the number of bacteria to double?
4. The amount of oil pumped from one of the wells decreases at the continuous rate of 10% per year.
When will the wells output fall to one-fourth of its present value?
5. A cup of tea with temperature 95°C is placed in a room with a constant temperature of 21°C. How
many minutes will it take to reach a temperature of 51°C if it cools to 85°C in 1 minute.
6. A cake is removed from an oven at 250°F and left to cool at room temperature which is 70°F. After
30minutes the temperature of the cake is 150°F. After how much time will it be 100°F?
7. Radium decomposes at a rate proportional to the amount present. If half the original amount disappears
in 1600 years, find the percentage lost in 100 years.
8. Half-life of radioactive carbon-14 is 5700 years. A certain bone was observed to contain 75% of
carbon-14 as compared to what is present in the leaving creatures. Determine its antiquity.
9. If 600 grams of a radioactive substance are present initially and 3 years later only 300 grams remain.
How much of the substance will be present after 6 years?
10. The space vehicles are supplied power from nuclear energy derived from radioactive isotopes. The
output of the radioactive power supply for a certain satellite is given by the function,
Where y is in watts and t is the time in days.
a) How much power will be available at the end of 90 days?
b) How long will it take for the amount of power to be half of its original strength?
11. Use the exponential growth model to show that the time it takes for a population to double (i.e., from

an initial number A to 2A) is given by

Answers
Exercise 1
1. order 1, degree 1
2. order 1, degree 1
3. order 2, degree 1
4. order 2, degree 1
5. order 3, degree 2

Exercise 2
7. k = 2

Exercise 3
1. yy1 = x
2. x + yy1 = 0

3c.22 Applied Mathematics

 3.
4.

5.

6.

Exercise 4
1.
2. +
3.

4.

5.
6.
7.

8. + =

Exercise 5

2. (i) Rs 5809 (app), (ii)23.1 years

3. 4.3 hours
4. 13.8 years
5. 6 minutes (app)
6. 1 hour 6 minutes
7. 4.2% (app)
8. 2365.8 years
9. 150 g
10. a) 34.88 watts b)173 days

Online resources
Differential Equations
1. http://www.differentialequationsbook.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/
SamplePages.pdf
2. https://www.slideshare.net/mdmosharofhosan/differential-equation-64060996?qid=dbdb2c4c-
f9bf-453d-9149-7e7b49e463e2&v=&b=&from_search=16

Mathematical Modelling
1. https://www.hec.ca/en/cams/help/topics/Mathematical_modelling.pdf
2. https://application.wiley-vch.de/books/sample/3527407588_c01.pdf
3. https://jvanderw.une.edu.au/Lecture1_IntroToMathModelling.pdf 

Differential Equations and Modeling 3c.23