Question

What is the key difference between order and degree of a differential equation?

Options

• Order depends on the dependent variable, while degree depends on the independent variable

• Order is the exponent of the highest derivative, while degree is the highest derivative's order

• Order and degree are the same concept expressed differently

• Order = order of the highest derivative; Degree = power of the highest derivative.

Answer 1

Order of a differential equation is determined by which derivative has the highest number of differentiations (e.g., first derivative, second derivative, third derivative, etc.). Degree is determined by the exponent (power) to which the highest derivative is raised. These are two distinct properties of a differential equation.