# Order and Degree of a Differential Equation

#### notes

Order of a differential equation:
Order of a differential equation is defined as the order of the highest order derivative of the dependent variable with respect to the independent variable involved in the given differential equation. Consider the following differential equations:

(dy)/(dx) = e^x ...(6)

(d^2y)/(dx^3) + y = 0   ...(7)

((d^3y)/dx^3) + x^2 ((d^2y)/(dx^2))^3 =  0  ...(8)

The equations (6), (7) and (8) involve the highest derivative of first, second and third order respectively. Therefore, the order of these equations are 1, 2 and 3 respectively.

Degree of a differential equation:
The degree of a differential equation, the key point is that the differential equation must be a polynomial equation in derivatives, i.e., y′, y″, y″′ etc. Consider the following differential equations:

(d^3y)/(dx^3) + 2 ((d^2y)/(dx^2)) - (dy)/(dx) + y = 0    ...(9)

((dy)/(dx))^2 + ((dy)/(dx)) - sin^2y = 0   ...(10)

((dy)/(dx)) + sin((dy)/(dx)) = 0     ... (11)

We observe that equation (9) is a polynomial equation in y″′,  y″ and y′, equation (10) is a polynomial equation in y′ (not a polynomial in y though). Degree of such differential equations can be defined. But equation (11) is not a polynomial equation in y′ and degree of such a differential equation can not be defined.

By the degree of a differential equation, when it is a polynomial equation in derivatives, we mean the highest power (positive integral index) of the highest order derivative involved in the given differential equation.

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