Access free live classes and tests on the app
Download
+
Unacademy
  • Goals
    • AFCAT
    • AP EAMCET
    • Bank Exam
    • BPSC
    • CA Foundation
    • CAPF
    • CAT
    • CBSE Class 11
    • CBSE Class 12
    • CDS
    • CLAT
    • CSIR UGC
    • GATE
    • IIT JAM
    • JEE
    • Karnataka CET
    • Karnataka PSC
    • Kerala PSC
    • MHT CET
    • MPPSC
    • NDA
    • NEET PG
    • NEET UG
    • NTA UGC
    • Railway Exam
    • SSC
    • TS EAMCET
    • UPSC
    • WBPSC
    • CFA
Login Join for Free
avtar
  • ProfileProfile
  • Settings Settings
  • Refer your friendsRefer your friends
  • Sign outSign out
  • Terms & conditions
  • •
  • Privacy policy
  • About
  • •
  • Careers
  • •
  • Blog

© 2023 Sorting Hat Technologies Pvt Ltd

Watch Free Classes
    • Free courses
    • JEE Main 2024
    • JEE Main 2024 Live Paper Discussion
    • JEE Main Rank Predictor 2024
    • JEE Main College Predictor 2024
    • Stream Predictor
    • JEE Main 2024 Free Mock Test
    • Study Materials
    • Notifications
    • JEE Advanced Syllabus
    • JEE Books
    • JEE Main Question Paper
    • JEE Coaching
    • Downloads
    • JEE Notes & Lectures
    • JEE Daily Videos
    • Difference Between
    • Full Forms
    • Important Formulas
    • Exam Tips
JEE Main 2026 Preparation: Question Papers, Solutions, Mock Tests & Strategy Unacademy » JEE Study Material » Mathematics » Differential Equations Applications

Differential Equations Applications

Applications of differential equations are important in both academic and practical contexts.

Table of Content
  •  

A differential equation in mathematics is an equation that links together one or more functions and their derivatives. In applications, the physical values are typically represented by the functions, while their rates of change are represented by the derivatives, and a relationship between the two is represented by the differential equation.

An equation is a mathematical representation of a relationship between two quantities, two functions, two variables, two sets of variables, or two functions.

A differential equation is a set of rules that explains how a function and its derivatives relate to one another. The use of these equations is illustrated by several examples.

The differential equation represents the relationship between the functions, which represent various operations, and their derivatives, which represent the rate of change experienced during the operation.

The degree order used to write these equations includes first-order, second-order, and so forth. It has several uses in physics, engineering, and other disciplines.

This article will teach us about the definition and different forms of mathematics as well as how it is used in daily life.

Differential Equations Applications

In the actual world, ordinary differential equations are employed to compute the flow of electricity, the motion of a pendulum, and to illustrate thermodynamic principles. Another frequent use of them in medical terminology is in diagrams that show how diseases develop.

Differential equations can be applied to mathematical models of radioactive decay or population growth.

First Order Differential Equation

Writing a differential equation to describe a physical process using modelling is a suitable approach.

Almost all differential equations, whether they are used in engineering, medicine, or chemical process modelling, exist because someone modelled a circumstance to create the differential equation you are employing.

Let’s now learn about the issues that modelling can be used to resolve. In order to do that, we must learn about:

First Order Differential Equations in Modelling

Here, we’ve listed three distinct scenarios, namely:

  • Population Issues
  • Falling Things
  • Combining Issues

In each of the aforementioned scenarios, we will be forced to make assumptions that, in most circumstances, do not accurately reflect reality. However, without these assumptions, the problems would be too complex to be solved.

Equation of Second-Order Differential

The variable x, the derivatives y’ and y”, and the unknown function y are all components of a second-order differential equation. In many cases, second-order linear differential equations are used to simulate physical processes.

Engineering applications of differential equations are also significant.

These kinds of models are used to estimate other, more complicated situations.

Second-order differential equation modelling

Here, we’ve listed three distinct scenarios, namely:

  • Harmonic Motion
  • atomic or molecule-to-atom bonds
  • A series connection between a resistor and an inductor made up the electrical circuit’s system.

Conclusion

A relationship between two quantities, two functions, two variables, a collection of variables, or two functions is denoted by an equation. A differential equation is a mathematical term used to describe the connection between a function and its derivatives. There are numerous examples, which shows that these equations are used.

The differential equation describes the relationship between the functions, which represent various types of operations that are performed, and the rate of change that occurs throughout those performances. The order of the degree, such as first order, second order, etc., is used to express these equations. Applications for it are frequently found in physics, engineering, and other fields.

faq

Frequently asked questions

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

What is a derivative function, and how does it apply to everyday situations?

Answer. The derivative in mathematics is a tool for calculating the rate of ch...Read full

Give an illustration of a derivative.

Answer. Assume that its domain includes the function f(x). Imagine that this f...Read full

What does it mean to have differential equations in the first and second orders?

Answer. When the function (x, y) is a function of two variables and can be des...Read full

Can Differential Equations Be Used In Real Life?

Answer. Differential equations are employed in practically every industry, inc...Read full

What are the different degrees and orders of differential equations?

Answer: The highest order derivative included determines the order of the differential equation. The degree of a dif...Read full

Answer. The derivative in mathematics is a tool for calculating the rate of change or magnitude of a function’s change at any given time. For functions acting on real numbers, it is the slope of the tangent line at a certain location on a graph.

In the actual world, derivatives are used to visualise company profit and loss using graphs. They are also used to determine our speed or distance travelled in other units, such as miles per hour or kilometres per hour.

Answer. Assume that its domain includes the function f(x). Imagine that this function is used to figure out how much a vehicle’s speed changes or accelerates as it moves from one place to another. The rate of change of velocity is immediate since the function depends on both the speed and direction of the moving object. To calculate the vehicle’s instantaneous acceleration, we must know the function’s boundaries at that point.

A function’s derivative is a function that gauges how quickly a different function is changing.

Answer. When the function (x, y) is a function of two variables and can be described on a region on the XY plane, the differential equation is said to be of first order. The equation is of first order since it only uses the first derivative, dy/dx.

A second-order differential equation is one that includes the variable x, the unknown function y, and its derivatives y’ and y”.

Answer. Differential equations are employed in practically every industry, including chemical engineering, finance, and medical. You may be wondering how differential equations are applied in the actual world as a result. Differential equations are utilised to describe a multitude of domains because of their exceptional capacity to forecast the world around us, as noted below:

  1. It is possible to explain exponential growth and deconstruction.
  2. population expansion over time.
  3. changes over time in the rate of return on investment.
  4. Find the best methods for investing or money circulation.
  5. simulating the spread of a disease or the progression of cancer
  6. demonstrating the movement of pendulums, waves, springs, and electricity
  7. modelling chemical reactions and handling radioactive half-life

Answer: The highest order derivative included determines the order of the differential equation. The degree of a differential equation is the exponent of the highest order derivative involved when it satisfies the following conditions:

  1. The derivatives of the equation are not affected by positive or negative fractional powers.
  2. No fraction contains any derivatives.
  3. There should be no use of exponential, trigonometric, or transcendental functions. A coefficient of x, y, or some other lower-order derivative should be present for any term having the highest order derivative.

Crack IIT JEE with Unacademy

Get subscription and access unlimited live and recorded courses from India’s best educators

  • Structured syllabus
  • Daily live classes
  • Ask doubts
  • Tests & practice
Learn more

Notifications

Get all the important information related to the JEE Exam including the process of application, important calendar dates, eligibility criteria, exam centers etc.

Allotment of Examination Centre
JEE Advanced Eligibility Criteria
JEE Advanced Exam Dates
JEE Advanced Exam Pattern 2023
JEE Advanced Syllabus
JEE Application Fee
JEE Application Process
JEE Eligibility Criteria 2023
JEE Exam Language and Centres
JEE Exam Pattern – Check JEE Paper Pattern 2024
JEE Examination Scheme
JEE Main 2024 Admit Card (OUT) – Steps to Download Session 1 Hall Ticket
JEE Main Application Form
JEE Main Eligibility Criteria 2024
JEE Main Exam Dates
JEE Main Exam Pattern
JEE Main Highlights
JEE Main Paper Analysis
JEE Main Question Paper with Solutions and Answer Keys
JEE Main Result 2022 (Out)
JEE Main Revised Dates
JEE Marking Scheme
JEE Preparation Books 2024 – JEE Best Books (Mains and Advanced)
Online Applications for JEE (Main)-2022 Session 2
Reserved Seats
See all

Related articles

Learn more topics related to Mathematics
Zero Vector

A zero vector is defined as a line segment coincident with its beginning and ending points. Primary Keyword: Zero Vector

ZERO MATRIX

In this article, we will discuss about the zero matrix and it’s properties.

YARDS TO FEET

In this article we will discuss the conversion of yards into feet and feets to yard.

XVI Roman Numeral

In this article we are going to discuss XVI Roman Numerals and its origin.

See all
Access more than

10,505+ courses for IIT JEE

Get subscription

Trending Topics

  • JEE Main 2024
  • JEE Main Rank Predictor 2024
  • JEE Main Mock Test 2024
  • JEE Main 2024 Admit Card
  • JEE Advanced Syllabus
  • JEE Preparation Books
  • JEE Notes
  • JEE Advanced Toppers
  • JEE Advanced 2022 Question Paper
  • JEE Advanced 2022 Answer Key
  • JEE Main Question Paper
  • JEE Main Answer key 2022
  • JEE Main Paper Analysis 2022
  • JEE Main Result
  • JEE Exam Pattern
  • JEE Main Eligibility
  • JEE College predictor
combat_iitjee

Related links

  • JEE Study Materials
  • CNG Full Form
  • Dimensional Formula of Pressure
  • Reimer Tiemann Reaction
  • Vector Triple Product
  • Swarts Reaction
  • Focal length of Convex Lens
  • Root mean square velocities
  • Fehling’s solution
testseries_iitjee
Predict your JEE Rank
.
Company Logo

Unacademy is India’s largest online learning platform. Download our apps to start learning


Starting your preparation?

Call us and we will answer all your questions about learning on Unacademy

Call +91 8585858585

Company
About usShikshodayaCareers
we're hiring
BlogsPrivacy PolicyTerms and Conditions
Help & support
User GuidelinesSite MapRefund PolicyTakedown PolicyGrievance Redressal
Products
Learner appLearner appEducator appEducator appParent appParent app
Popular goals
IIT JEEUPSCSSCCSIR UGC NETNEET UG
Trending exams
GATECATCANTA UGC NETBank Exams
Study material
UPSC Study MaterialNEET UG Study MaterialCA Foundation Study MaterialJEE Study MaterialSSC Study Material

© 2026 Sorting Hat Technologies Pvt Ltd

Unacademy
  • Goals
    • AFCAT
    • AP EAMCET
    • Bank Exam
    • BPSC
    • CA Foundation
    • CAPF
    • CAT
    • CBSE Class 11
    • CBSE Class 12
    • CDS
    • CLAT
    • CSIR UGC
    • GATE
    • IIT JAM
    • JEE
    • Karnataka CET
    • Karnataka PSC
    • Kerala PSC
    • MHT CET
    • MPPSC
    • NDA
    • NEET PG
    • NEET UG
    • NTA UGC
    • Railway Exam
    • SSC
    • TS EAMCET
    • UPSC
    • WBPSC
    • CFA

Share via

COPY