TN Online TestSamacheer Kalvi · 1–12

12ஆம் வகுப்பு கணிதவியல் — சாதாரண வகைக்கெழுச் சமன்பாடுகள்: Book Back MCQs with Answers & Explanations

Every multiple-choice question from சாதாரண வகைக்கெழுச் சமன்பாடுகள் (12ஆம் வகுப்பு கணிதவியல், Samacheer Kalvi) with the correct option highlighted and a clear, worked explanation. 25 questions in all — free to read in English and Tamil.

Answer key at a glance

Q1
The order and degree of the differential equation \( \dfrac{d^2y}{dx^2} + \left(\dfrac{dy}{dx}\right)^{1/3} + x^{1/4} = 0 \) are respectively
  • A. \(2,\ 3\)Correct
  • B. \(3,\ 3\)
  • C. \(2,\ 6\)
  • D. \(2,\ 4\)
Explanation.

The order is read off directly: the highest derivative present is \( \dfrac{d^2y}{dx^2} \), so the order is \(2\).

For the degree the equation must first be polynomial in its derivatives. The fractional power sits on \( \dfrac{dy}{dx} \), so move that term aside and cube to remove the cube root:

\[ \dfrac{d^2y}{dx^2} + x^{1/4} = -\left(\dfrac{dy}{dx}\right)^{1/3} \;\Longrightarrow\; \left(\dfrac{d^2y}{dx^2} + x^{1/4}\right)^{3} = -\dfrac{dy}{dx}. \]

Now the highest-order derivative appears to the power \(3\), so the degree is \(3\). The fractional power of \(x\) is irrelevant, because degree counts only powers of derivatives. Hence order \(=2\), degree \(=3\).

Q2
The differential equation representing the family of curves \( y = A\cos(x + B) \), where \(A\) and \(B\) are parameters, is
  • A. \( \dfrac{d^2y}{dx^2} - y = 0 \)
  • B. \( \dfrac{d^2y}{dx^2} + y = 0 \)Correct
  • C. \( \dfrac{d^2y}{dx^2} = 0 \)
  • D. \( \dfrac{d^2x}{dy^2} = 0 \)
Explanation.

There are two arbitrary parameters, \(A\) and \(B\), so differentiate twice to eliminate them. From \( y = A\cos(x+B) \):

\[ \dfrac{dy}{dx} = -A\sin(x+B), \qquad \dfrac{d^2y}{dx^2} = -A\cos(x+B). \]

The second derivative equals \(-y\), since \( A\cos(x+B) = y \). Substituting gives \( \dfrac{d^2y}{dx^2} = -y \), that is \( \dfrac{d^2y}{dx^2} + y = 0 \). Both constants drop out automatically, which is why a two-parameter family yields a second-order equation.

Q3
The order and degree of the differential equation \( \sqrt{\sin x}\,(dx + dy) = \sqrt{\cos x}\,(dx - dy) \) are
  • A. \(1,\ 2\)
  • B. \(2,\ 2\)
  • C. \(1,\ 1\)Correct
  • D. \(2,\ 1\)
Explanation.

Group the \(dx\) and \(dy\) terms so that \( \dfrac{dy}{dx} \) appears:

\[ \left(\sqrt{\sin x} + \sqrt{\cos x}\right)dy = \left(\sqrt{\cos x} - \sqrt{\sin x}\right)dx, \]\[ \dfrac{dy}{dx} = \dfrac{\sqrt{\cos x} - \sqrt{\sin x}}{\sqrt{\cos x} + \sqrt{\sin x}}. \]

Only the first derivative appears, so the order is \(1\). The square roots act on \( \sin x \) and \( \cos x \), which are coefficients — not derivatives — so \( \dfrac{dy}{dx} \) occurs to the first power. The degree is therefore \(1\). The trap is to let the square roots suggest degree \(2\); they never touch the derivative.

Q4
The order of the differential equation of all circles with centre at \( (h, k) \) and radius \(a\) is
  • A. \(2\)
  • B. \(3\)Correct
  • C. \(4\)
  • D. \(1\)
Explanation.

A general circle is \( (x-h)^2 + (y-k)^2 = a^2 \). Here \(h\), \(k\) and \(a\) are all free to vary, so the family carries three independent arbitrary constants. Each differentiation removes one constant, so three differentiations are needed to eliminate all of them, giving an equation of order \(3\). The rule of thumb is simply: order of the differential equation \(=\) number of independent arbitrary constants. A frequent error is to count only \(h\) and \(k\) and answer \(2\); the radius \(a\) is also free, so the correct order is \(3\).

Q5
The differential equation of the family of curves \( y = Ae^{x} + Be^{-x} \), where \(A\) and \(B\) are arbitrary constants, is
  • A. \( \dfrac{d^2y}{dx^2} + y = 0 \)
  • B. \( \dfrac{d^2y}{dx^2} - y = 0 \)Correct
  • C. \( \dfrac{dy}{dx} + y = 0 \)
  • D. \( \dfrac{dy}{dx} - y = 0 \)
Explanation.

Two arbitrary constants call for two differentiations. From \( y = Ae^{x} + Be^{-x} \):

\[ \dfrac{dy}{dx} = Ae^{x} - Be^{-x}, \qquad \dfrac{d^2y}{dx^2} = Ae^{x} + Be^{-x}. \]

The second derivative reproduces the original right-hand side, so \( \dfrac{d^2y}{dx^2} = y \), that is \( \dfrac{d^2y}{dx^2} - y = 0 \). (Contrast this with \( y = A\cos x + B\sin x \), which gives \( y'' + y = 0 \); the sign flips because exponentials are their own second derivative.)

Q6
The general solution of the differential equation \( \dfrac{dy}{dx} = \dfrac{y}{x} \) is
  • A. \( xy = k \)
  • B. \( y = k\log x \)
  • C. \( y = kx \)Correct
  • D. \( \log y = kx \)
Explanation.

This is variables separable. Collect \(y\) on the left and \(x\) on the right:

\[ \dfrac{dy}{y} = \dfrac{dx}{x}. \]

Integrating, \( \ln|y| = \ln|x| + \ln k \), where the single constant is written as \( \ln k \) for convenience. Combining logarithms gives \( \ln|y| = \ln|kx| \), hence \( y = kx \). The solution curves are the straight lines through the origin.

Q7
The solution of the differential equation \( 2x\,\dfrac{dy}{dx} - y = 3 \) represents
  • A. straight lines
  • B. circles
  • C. parabolaCorrect
  • D. ellipse
Explanation.

Rearrange and separate the variables:

\[ 2x\,\dfrac{dy}{dx} = y + 3 \;\Longrightarrow\; \dfrac{2\,dy}{y+3} = \dfrac{dx}{x}. \]

Integrating, \( 2\ln|y+3| = \ln|x| + \ln c \), so \( \ln (y+3)^2 = \ln(cx) \) and therefore \( (y+3)^2 = cx \). Writing \( Y = y+3 \), this is \( Y^2 = cx \) — the standard form of a parabola. Hence the solution curves are parabolas.

Q8
The solution of \( \dfrac{dy}{dx} + p(x)\,y = 0 \) is
  • A. \( y = c\,e^{\int p\,dx} \)
  • B. \( y = c\,e^{-\int p\,dx} \)Correct
  • C. \( x = c\,e^{-\int p\,dy} \)
  • D. \( x = c\,e^{\int p\,dy} \)
Explanation.

With a zero right-hand side this is both separable and a homogeneous linear equation. Separating,

\[ \dfrac{dy}{y} = -p(x)\,dx. \]

Integrating gives \( \ln|y| = -\displaystyle\int p(x)\,dx + \ln c \), so \( y = c\,e^{-\int p(x)\,dx} \). Equivalently, the integrating factor is \( e^{\int p\,dx} \) and, since \( Q = 0 \), the linear solution \( y\,e^{\int p\,dx} = c \) gives the same result.

Q9
The integrating factor of the differential equation \( \dfrac{dy}{dx} + y = \dfrac{1+y}{x} \) is
  • A. \( \dfrac{x}{e^{x}} \)
  • B. \( \dfrac{e^{x}}{x} \)Correct
  • C. \( x\,e^{x} \)
  • D. \( e^{x} \)
Explanation.

First write the equation in standard linear form \( \dfrac{dy}{dx} + Py = Q \). Splitting the right side,

\[ \dfrac{dy}{dx} + y = \dfrac{1}{x} + \dfrac{y}{x} \;\Longrightarrow\; \dfrac{dy}{dx} + \left(1 - \dfrac{1}{x}\right)y = \dfrac{1}{x}. \]

So \( P = 1 - \dfrac{1}{x} \), and the integrating factor is

\[ \text{I.F.} = e^{\int\left(1 - \frac{1}{x}\right)dx} = e^{\,x - \ln x} = e^{x}\cdot e^{-\ln x} = \dfrac{e^{x}}{x}. \]

The trap is to forget to move the \( \dfrac{y}{x} \) term to the left before reading off \(P\).

Q10
If the integrating factor of the differential equation \( \dfrac{dy}{dx} + P(x)\,y = Q(x) \) is \(x\), then \( P(x) \) is
  • A. \( x \)
  • B. \( \dfrac{x^{2}}{2} \)
  • C. \( \dfrac{1}{x} \)Correct
  • D. \( \dfrac{1}{x^{2}} \)
Explanation.

By definition the integrating factor of \( \dfrac{dy}{dx} + P(x)\,y = Q(x) \) is \( e^{\int P\,dx} \). We are told this equals \(x\):

\[ e^{\int P\,dx} = x \;\Longrightarrow\; \int P\,dx = \ln x. \]

Differentiating both sides with respect to \(x\) recovers \(P\): \( P = \dfrac{d}{dx}(\ln x) = \dfrac{1}{x} \). So \( P(x) = \dfrac{1}{x} \).

Q11
The degree of the differential equation \( y(x) = 1 + \dfrac{dy}{dx} + \dfrac{1}{2!}\left(\dfrac{dy}{dx}\right)^{2} + \dfrac{1}{3!}\left(\dfrac{dy}{dx}\right)^{3} + \cdots \) is
  • A. \(2\)
  • B. \(3\)
  • C. \(1\)Correct
  • D. \(4\)
Explanation.

Read the right-hand side as a power series. The pattern \( 1 + t + \dfrac{t^{2}}{2!} + \dfrac{t^{3}}{3!} + \cdots \) is exactly the Maclaurin expansion of \( e^{t} \), with \( t = \dfrac{dy}{dx} \). So the equation is simply

\[ y = e^{\,dy/dx} \;\Longrightarrow\; \dfrac{dy}{dx} = \ln y. \]

This contains only the first derivative, to the first power, so both the order and the degree are \(1\). The infinite series is a disguise; once summed, the equation is first-order and first-degree.

Q12
If \(p\) and \(q\) are the order and degree of the differential equation \( y\,\dfrac{dy}{dx} + x^{3}\,\dfrac{d^{2}y}{dx^{2}} + xy = \cos x \), then
  • A. \( p < q \)
  • B. \( p = q \)
  • C. \( p > q \)Correct
  • D. \(p\) exists and \(q\) does not exist
Explanation.

The highest derivative appearing is \( \dfrac{d^{2}y}{dx^{2}} \), so the order is \( p = 2 \). The equation is already polynomial in its derivatives, and that highest derivative occurs to the first power, so the degree is \( q = 1 \). Comparing, \( p = 2 > 1 = q \), i.e. \( p > q \). The product \( y\,\dfrac{dy}{dx} \) and the term \( \cos x \) raise neither the order nor the degree, because both look only at the highest-order derivative.

Q13
The solution of the differential equation \( \dfrac{dy}{dx} + \dfrac{1}{\sqrt{1-x^{2}}} = 0 \) is
  • A. \( y + \sin^{-1}x = c \)Correct
  • B. \( x + \sin^{-1}y = 0 \)
  • C. \( y^{2} + 2\sin^{-1}x = c \)
  • D. \( x^{2} + 2\sin^{-1}y = 0 \)
Explanation.

Isolate the derivative and integrate directly:

\[ \dfrac{dy}{dx} = -\dfrac{1}{\sqrt{1-x^{2}}} \;\Longrightarrow\; dy = -\dfrac{dx}{\sqrt{1-x^{2}}}. \]

Since \( \displaystyle\int \dfrac{dx}{\sqrt{1-x^{2}}} = \sin^{-1}x \), integrating gives \( y = -\sin^{-1}x + c \), that is \( y + \sin^{-1}x = c \).

Q14
The solution of the differential equation \( \dfrac{dy}{dx} = 2xy \) is
  • A. \( y = c\,e^{x^{2}} \)Correct
  • B. \( y = 2x^{2} + c \)
  • C. \( y = c\,e^{-x^{2}} + c \)
  • D. \( y = x^{2} + c \)
Explanation.

Separate the variables:

\[ \dfrac{dy}{y} = 2x\,dx. \]

Integrating, \( \ln|y| = x^{2} + c_{1} \). Exponentiating, \( y = e^{x^{2} + c_{1}} = e^{c_{1}}\,e^{x^{2}} \). Renaming the constant \( e^{c_{1}} = c \) gives \( y = c\,e^{x^{2}} \).

Q15
The general solution of the differential equation \( \log\!\left(\dfrac{dy}{dx}\right) = x + y \) is
  • A. \( e^{x} + e^{y} = c \)
  • B. \( e^{x} + e^{-y} = c \)Correct
  • C. \( e^{-x} + e^{y} = c \)
  • D. \( e^{-x} + e^{-y} = c \)
Explanation.

Undo the logarithm first: \( \dfrac{dy}{dx} = e^{x+y} = e^{x}\,e^{y} \). Now separate, sending the \(y\)-terms to the left:

\[ e^{-y}\,dy = e^{x}\,dx. \]

Integrating, \( -e^{-y} = e^{x} + c_{1} \). Multiplying by \(-1\) and renaming the constant gives \( e^{x} + e^{-y} = c \).

Q16
The solution of \( \dfrac{dy}{dx} = 2^{\,y-x} \) is
  • A. \( 2^{x} + 2^{y} = c \)
  • B. \( 2^{x} - 2^{y} = c \)
  • C. \( \dfrac{1}{2^{x}} - \dfrac{1}{2^{y}} = c \)Correct
  • D. \( x + y = c \)
Explanation.

Write \( 2^{\,y-x} = \dfrac{2^{y}}{2^{x}} \) and separate:

\[ \dfrac{dy}{2^{y}} = \dfrac{dx}{2^{x}} \;\Longrightarrow\; 2^{-y}\,dy = 2^{-x}\,dx. \]

Using \( \displaystyle\int a^{u}\,du = \dfrac{a^{u}}{\ln a} \), integration gives \( \dfrac{2^{-y}}{-\ln 2} = \dfrac{2^{-x}}{-\ln 2} + c_{1} \). Multiplying by \( -\ln 2 \) and tidying the constant, \( 2^{-x} - 2^{-y} = c \), i.e. \( \dfrac{1}{2^{x}} - \dfrac{1}{2^{y}} = c \).

Q17
The solution of the differential equation \( \dfrac{dy}{dx} = \dfrac{y}{x} + \dfrac{\varphi\!\left(\frac{y}{x}\right)}{\varphi'\!\left(\frac{y}{x}\right)} \) is
  • A. \( x\,\varphi\!\left(\dfrac{y}{x}\right) = k \)
  • B. \( \varphi\!\left(\dfrac{y}{x}\right) = kx \)Correct
  • C. \( y\,\varphi\!\left(\dfrac{y}{x}\right) = k \)
  • D. \( \varphi\!\left(\dfrac{y}{x}\right) = ky \)
Explanation.

The right-hand side depends only on \( \dfrac{y}{x} \), so the equation is homogeneous. Substitute \( y = vx \), giving \( \dfrac{dy}{dx} = v + x\dfrac{dv}{dx} \). The equation becomes

\[ v + x\dfrac{dv}{dx} = v + \dfrac{\varphi(v)}{\varphi'(v)} \;\Longrightarrow\; \dfrac{\varphi'(v)}{\varphi(v)}\,dv = \dfrac{dx}{x}. \]

The left side is \( \dfrac{d}{dv}\ln\varphi(v) \), so integrating gives \( \ln\varphi(v) = \ln x + \ln k \), hence \( \varphi(v) = kx \). Restoring \( v = \dfrac{y}{x} \), the solution is \( \varphi\!\left(\dfrac{y}{x}\right) = kx \).

Q18
If \( \sin x \) is the integrating factor of the linear differential equation \( \dfrac{dy}{dx} + Py = Q \), then \(P\) is
  • A. \( \log \sin x \)
  • B. \( \cos x \)
  • C. \( \tan x \)
  • D. \( \cot x \)Correct
Explanation.

For \( \dfrac{dy}{dx} + Py = Q \) the integrating factor is \( e^{\int P\,dx} \). Setting this equal to \( \sin x \):

\[ e^{\int P\,dx} = \sin x \;\Longrightarrow\; \int P\,dx = \ln(\sin x). \]

Differentiate to recover \(P\): \( P = \dfrac{d}{dx}\ln(\sin x) = \dfrac{\cos x}{\sin x} = \cot x \).

Q19
The number of arbitrary constants in the general solutions of differential equations of order \(n\) and \(n+1\) are respectively
  • A. \( n-1,\ n \)
  • B. \( n,\ n+1 \)Correct
  • C. \( n+1,\ n+2 \)
  • D. \( n+1,\ n \)
Explanation.

A key fact: the general solution of a differential equation of order \(m\) contains exactly \(m\) independent arbitrary constants. Applying this, an equation of order \(n\) has \(n\) arbitrary constants and one of order \(n+1\) has \(n+1\). So the answer is \( n,\ n+1 \).

Q20
The number of arbitrary constants in the particular solution of a differential equation of third order is
  • A. \(3\)
  • B. \(2\)
  • C. \(1\)
  • D. \(0\)Correct
Explanation.

A general solution of a third-order equation carries three arbitrary constants. A particular solution is obtained by fixing those constants with initial or boundary conditions, so none remain free. Hence the number of arbitrary constants in a particular solution is \(0\), whatever the order.

Q21
The integrating factor of the differential equation \( \dfrac{dy}{dx} = \dfrac{x + y + 1}{x + 1} \) is
  • A. \( \dfrac{1}{x+1} \)Correct
  • B. \( x+1 \)
  • C. \( \dfrac{1}{\sqrt{x+1}} \)
  • D. \( \sqrt{x+1} \)
Explanation.

Rewrite the equation in linear form by splitting the right side:

\[ \dfrac{dy}{dx} = \dfrac{(x+1) + y}{x+1} = 1 + \dfrac{y}{x+1} \;\Longrightarrow\; \dfrac{dy}{dx} - \dfrac{1}{x+1}\,y = 1. \]

So \( P = -\dfrac{1}{x+1} \), and the integrating factor is

\[ \text{I.F.} = e^{\int -\frac{1}{x+1}\,dx} = e^{-\ln(x+1)} = \dfrac{1}{x+1}. \]
Q22
The population \(P\) in any year \(t\) is such that the rate of increase in the population is proportional to the population. Then
  • A. \( P = c\,e^{kt} \)Correct
  • B. \( P = c\,e^{-kt} \)
  • C. \( P = ckt \)
  • D. \( P = c \)
Explanation.

"Rate of increase proportional to the population" translates to \( \dfrac{dP}{dt} = kP \) with \( k > 0 \). Separating, \( \dfrac{dP}{P} = k\,dt \), and integrating gives \( \ln P = kt + c_{1} \). Exponentiating, \( P = e^{kt + c_{1}} = c\,e^{kt} \). This is the exponential growth law.

Q23
\(P\) is the amount of a certain substance left after time \(t\). If the rate of evaporation of the substance is proportional to the amount remaining, then
  • A. \( P = c\,e^{kt} \)
  • B. \( P = c\,e^{-kt} \)Correct
  • C. \( P = ckt \)
  • D. \( Pt = c \)
Explanation.

Evaporation removes the substance, so the amount decreases at a rate proportional to what remains: \( \dfrac{dP}{dt} = -kP \) with \( k > 0 \). Separating and integrating, \( \ln P = -kt + c_{1} \), hence \( P = c\,e^{-kt} \). The negative exponent marks exponential decay, distinguishing it from growth.

Q24
If the solution of the differential equation \( \dfrac{dy}{dx} = \dfrac{ax + 3}{2y + f} \) represents a circle, then the value of \(a\) is
  • A. \(2\)
  • B. \(-2\)Correct
  • C. \(1\)
  • D. \(-1\)
Explanation.

Cross-multiply and integrate:

\[ (2y+f)\,dy = (ax+3)\,dx \;\Longrightarrow\; y^{2} + fy = \dfrac{a}{2}x^{2} + 3x + c. \]

Bringing everything to one side gives \( \dfrac{a}{2}x^{2} - y^{2} + 3x - fy + c = 0 \). A second-degree curve is a circle only when the coefficients of \( x^{2} \) and \( y^{2} \) are equal. Here the coefficient of \( y^{2} \) is \(-1\), so we need \( \dfrac{a}{2} = -1 \), giving \( a = -2 \).

Q25
The slope at any point of a curve \( y = f(x) \) is given by \( \dfrac{dy}{dx} = 3x^{2} \), and it passes through \( (-1, 1) \). Then the equation of the curve is
  • A. \( y = x^{3} + 2 \)Correct
  • B. \( y = 3x^{2} + 4 \)
  • C. \( y = 3x^{3} + 4 \)
  • D. \( y = x^{3} + 5 \)
Explanation.

Integrate the slope: \( dy = 3x^{2}\,dx \) gives \( y = x^{3} + c \). Use the point \( (-1, 1) \) to fix \(c\): \( 1 = (-1)^{3} + c = -1 + c \), so \( c = 2 \). The curve is \( y = x^{3} + 2 \).

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These are the book-back multiple-choice questions for சாதாரண வகைக்கெழுச் சமன்பாடுகள் from the Tamil Nadu State Board (Samacheer Kalvi) 12ஆம் வகுப்பு கணிதவியல் syllabus. Each question shows the correct option and an original, step-by-step explanation so you understand the method, not just the answer. Use the answer key above to jump to any question, then take the practice test to check yourself under exam-like conditions.