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JEE Main 2026 Preparation: Question Papers, Solutions, Mock Tests & Strategy Unacademy » JEE Study Material » Mathematics » Application of Differential Equation

Application of Differential Equation

A differential equation is a type of equation that may be found in mathematics and refers to an equation that associates one or more functions with their derivatives. When applied, functions often stand for the physical quantities, while derivatives signify the rates at which those numbers change. The differential equation is a representation of the relationship that exists between these two concepts.

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An equation can be used to indicate a connection between two quantities, two functions, two variables, or a collection of variables or two functions.A differential equation is a set of formulae that describes the link between a function and its derivatives. This connection may be thought of as a mathematical relationship. 

Applications of the Various Forms of Differential Equations

The following is a list of the different types of differential equations:

  • Equations of Differentiation in Their Ordinary Form
  • Partial Differential Equations
  • Equations of linear differential type
  • Non-linear differential equations.
  • Equations of Homogeneous Differential Variation
  • Differential equations using Non-Homogeneous Variables

Equations of Differentiation in the Ordinary

An “Ordinary Differential Equation,” sometimes abbreviated as an ODE, is a type of mathematical equation that consists of just one independent variable and one or more derivatives that are related to that variable.

The equation for an ordinary differential is therefore expressed as a relation with one independent variable denoted by x and one real dependent variable denoted by y, in addition to certain of its derivatives denoted by y’, y”,….yn,… about x.

Ordinary differential equations may be divided into two categories: those that are homogeneous and those that are non-homogeneous.

Differential equation for a homogeneous domain

One type of differential equation is known as a homogeneous differential equation. This type of differential equation has all of the terms having the same degree.

In general, they can be portrayed as the following:

P(x,y)dx + Q(x,y)dy = 0,

P(x,y) and Q(x,y) are considered to be homogeneous functions, and their degrees are same.

Equation of Differentiation for Nonhomogeneous Media

Differential equations can be homogeneous or non-homogeneous. A non-homogeneous differential equation is one in which the degree of each term is not the same.

Partial Differential Equations

An equation in which only the partial derivatives of one or more functions of two or more independent variables are involved is referred to as a partial differential equation, or PDE for short. Eg,

∂u/dx + ∂dy = 0

∂²u/∂x² + ∂2u/∂x² = 0

Equation with Linear Differentiation

A linear differential equation is an equation that contains a variable, its derivative, and a few additional functions. This type of equation is known as a “linear differential equation.”

The variable y and all of its derivatives are included in the standard form of a linear differential equation, which is written as dy/dx + Py = Q.

P and Q can take the form of numeric constants or x functions within the context of this differential equation.

Differential Equation, Listed in Order

An equation with differential variables has an order that corresponds to the order of the largest derivative that can be obtained from the equation. Actuarial specialists also refer to it as the differential coefficient, which is a term that describes its presence in the equation. There are two different kinds of order:

  • Equation of first order with differentials
  • Second-order differential equation

Differential equations’ Numerous Real-World Applications

Ordinary differential equations are put to use in the real world for a variety of applications, including the calculation of the flow of electricity, the movement of an object like a pendulum, and the illustration of principles related to thermodynamics. 

First Order Differential Equation

When trying to provide an explanation for a physical process through the use of differential equations, modelling is an effective approach to follow.

The vast majority of differential equations, regardless of whether they were developed for use in engineering, medicine, or the modelling of chemical processes, exist for a specific purpose. Someone previously modelled a scenario in order to devise the differential equation that you are currently utilising.

Now that we have that out of the way, let’s talk about the issues that the modelling method can help us tackle. Because of this, we need to educate ourselves on:

The Use of the First Order Differential Equation in Modeling

In this instance, we have outlined three distinct scenarios, namely:

  • Concerns Relating to Population
  • Objects That Have Fallen
  • Combining Different Issues

In every one of the scenarios described above, we will be forced to make assumptions that, in the vast majority of instances, do not accurately reflect the actual state of affairs; nonetheless, if we did not make these assumptions, the issues would be unsolvable.

Equation with a Differential of the Second Order

The variable x, the unknown function y, and its derivatives y’ and y” are the variables that are involved in a second-order differential equation. In the field of physics, many diverse processes are modelled using linear differential equations of the second order.

Differential equations have important applications in engineering, which adds to their overall significance.

The results of such models are used in subsequent estimations of other, more complicated scenarios.

The Use of Differential Equations of the Second Order in Modeling

In this instance, we have outlined three distinct scenarios, namely:

  • The Motion of Harmonics
  • The connections between individual atoms or molecules

An inductor and a resistor were linked to one another in series to make up the components of the electric circuit.

Conclusion

The relevance of these differential  equations is through a variety of real-world examples.

The functions are the ones that represent some kind of process, the derivative of that operation is the rate of change that occurs during that operation, and the differential equation is the relationship that exists between the two of them.These equations are expressed using degree order notation, such as first-order, second-order, and so on and so forth. Its applications may be found in a wide variety of industries, including engineering, physics, and others.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Get answers to the most common queries related to the JEE Examination Preparation.

Is the Application of Differential Equations in Everyday Life Even Possible?

Answer. Differential equations are utilised in virtually all industries, inclu...Read full

Could you please explain the order and degree of the differential equations?

Answer. The order of a differential equation is defined by the derivative with...Read full

In the context of differential equations, what do the terms "First order" and "Second order" mean?

Answer. A differential equation of the first order is one in which the functio...Read full

What Exactly Is a Derivative Function, and Where Can You Find Its Applications in Everyday Life?

Answer. In mathematics, the term “derivative” refers to an indicat...Read full

Give an example of the term "derivative," please.

Answer. Let’s assume for the moment that f(x) is a function that can be ...Read full

Answer. Differential equations are utilised in virtually all industries, including medical, chemical engineering, and finance, to name a few. As a consequence of this, you are presumably curious about the applications of differential equations in the real world. Differential equations are used to explain a multitude of areas due to their exceptional capacity to make predictions about the world around us. The following are some of the fields that differential equations are used to describe:

  • It is possible to explain both exponential growth and deconstruction
  • The increase in the number of people through time
  • Alterations made throughout the course of time to the rate of return on investment
  • Find the best strategies for investing or ways to maximise the flow of money

Answer. The order of a differential equation is defined by the derivative with the highest order that is involved. The degree of a differential equation is defined as the exponent of the highest order derivative that is involved when the following conditions are satisfied:

The derivatives of the equation do not contain any fractional powers, whether positive or negative.

There are no derivatives included in any of the fractions.

Answer. A differential equation of the first order is one in which the function (x, y) is a function of two variables and may be described on a region on the XY plane. This type of problem is also known as a linear differential equation. The equation is of the first order since it only uses the first derivative, denoted by dy dx, in its solution.

A second-order differential equation is an equation that contains an unknown function y, its derivatives y’ and y”, as well as the variable x. This type of equation is also known as a “system of equations.”

Answer. In mathematics, the term “derivative” refers to an indicator that is used to express either the rateof change or the amount that a function alters at a specific point in time. For functions that operate on real numbers, it is the angle that the tangent line makes with the spot on the graph where it is located.

In the real world, derivatives are often used in conjunction with graphs to help measure profit and loss in commercial transactions. In addition, we make use of them to compute our speed or distance travelled in a variety of units, such as miles per hour, kilometres per hour, and others.

Answer. Let’s assume for the moment that f(x) is a function that can be found inside its domain. Imagine for a moment that this function is employed in the process of determining the rate of change in velocity, also known as acceleration, of a vehicle as it moves from one spot to another.

The rate of change in velocity is immediate since the function is dependent on both the speed of the vehicle and the direction in which it is travelling. For us to be able to calculate the instantaneous acceleration of the vehicle, we need to have the boundaries of the function at that particular instant.

A function’s derivative is a function that indicates the rate of change of another function. A derivative is a form of a function.

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