Stepwise Guide to Solving Chapter 9 Exercise 9.1 Differential Equations
FAQs on Class 12 Maths Differential Equations: Exercise 9.1 Detailed Solutions
1. Where can I find reliable, step-by-step NCERT Solutions for Class 12 Maths Chapter 9, Differential Equations?
You can find comprehensive and expert-verified NCERT Solutions for Class 12 Maths Chapter 9 on Vedantu. These solutions are crafted to provide clear, step-by-step explanations for every problem in the textbook, strictly following the CBSE 2025-26 syllabus and marking scheme to help students understand the correct methodology for solving differential equations.
2. How do you determine the order and degree of a differential equation as per the NCERT guidelines?
To determine the order and degree of a differential equation, follow these two steps:
- Order: The order is the highest order of the derivative present in the equation. For example, in the equation d²y/dx² + y = 0, the highest order derivative is d²y/dx², so the order is 2.
- Degree: The degree is the highest power of the highest order derivative, provided the equation is a polynomial in its derivatives. In (d²y/dx²)³ + dy/dx = 0, the degree is 3. If the equation contains terms like sin(dy/dx), the degree is not defined.
3. What is the correct method to solve a differential equation using variable separation?
The variable separable method is used when the differential equation can be expressed in the form f(x)dx = g(y)dy. The step-by-step method is as follows:
- Rearrange the equation to separate all terms involving 'x' and 'dx' on one side, and all terms involving 'y' and 'dy' on the other.
- Integrate both sides of the equation independently.
- Add a single constant of integration, 'C', to one side of the equation to get the general solution.
4. How are homogeneous differential equations solved in the Class 12 NCERT solutions?
A differential equation is homogeneous if it can be written as dy/dx = F(y/x). The standard procedure to solve it is:
- Substitute y = vx. This implies that dy/dx = v + x(dv/dx).
- Substitute these into the original equation, which will transform it into a new equation with variables 'v' and 'x'.
- This new equation will be solvable using the variable separation method.
- Solve for 'v' and then substitute back v = y/x to get the final solution in terms of 'x' and 'y'.
5. What is the step-by-step process for solving a linear differential equation of the form dy/dx + Py = Q?
To solve a linear differential equation, follow these precise steps:
- First, identify the functions P and Q from the equation, ensuring it matches the standard form dy/dx + P(x)y = Q(x).
- Calculate the Integrating Factor (I.F.) using the formula: I.F. = e∫P dx.
- The general solution is then found using the standard result: y × (I.F.) = ∫(Q × I.F.) dx + C, where C is the constant of integration.
6. Why is the degree of a differential equation 'not defined' if it contains a term like sin(dy/dx)?
The concept of 'degree' applies only to differential equations that are polynomials in their derivatives (like y'', y', etc.). A function like sin(dy/dx) is a transcendental function. When expanded using a Maclaurin series, it becomes an infinite series of powers of dy/dx. Since a polynomial must have a finite number of terms and a finite highest power, the equation is not a polynomial in its derivatives, and thus its degree cannot be defined.
7. What is the fundamental difference between a general solution and a particular solution of a differential equation?
The key difference lies in the presence of arbitrary constants:
- A general solution contains one or more arbitrary constants (like 'C'). It represents a family of curves that all satisfy the differential equation. The number of constants equals the order of the equation.
- A particular solution is derived from the general solution by using given initial conditions (e.g., y=2 when x=1) to find specific values for the arbitrary constants. It represents a single, unique curve from the family of solutions.
8. How can a student quickly identify if a differential equation is variable separable, homogeneous, or linear?
Here is a quick checklist to identify the type of first-order, first-degree differential equation:
- Variable Separable: Check if you can algebraically move all 'x' terms to one side with 'dx' and all 'y' terms to the other side with 'dy'.
- Homogeneous: Check if the equation can be expressed as a function of y/x or if every term in the equation has the exact same degree. For example, in y² + x² = xy(dy/dx), all terms have a degree of 2.
- Linear: Check if the equation can be perfectly structured into the form dy/dx + P(x)y = Q(x) or dx/dy + P(y)x = Q(y). If it fits this template, it is linear.
Always check in this order, as some equations might fit multiple criteria, but one method may be simpler.
9. How do you form a differential equation from a given general solution containing arbitrary constants?
To form a differential equation from a solution, the goal is to eliminate the arbitrary constants. The correct procedure is:
- Count the number of independent arbitrary constants in the given equation. Let's say there are 'n' constants.
- Differentiate the equation successively 'n' times. This will give you 'n' new equations in addition to the original one.
- Use these (n+1) equations to algebraically eliminate the 'n' constants.
- The resulting equation, which is free of arbitrary constants, is the required differential equation. Its order will be 'n'.

















