Formation of Partial

Differential Equations

1.1. INTRODUCTION

and thus aid the solution

Partial diferential equations are used to mathematically formulate
of physical and other problems involving functions of several variables. Partial differential
and other branches of Science. In
equations are of great use in Physics, Applied Mathematics methods viz., by eliminating
this chapter we shall learn to form partial differential equation by two
arbitrary constants and by eliminating arbitrary functions.

1.2. PARTIAL DIFFERENTIAL EQUATION (P.D.E.)

dependent variable (one or more)

A differential equation involving partial derivatives of partial differential equation.
called a
with respect to two or more independent variables is
function of two or more variables and
In other words,an equation containing an unknown
called a partial differential equation.
its partial derivatives with respect to these variables is
variables and 2as dependent
Usually, in case of twovariables, we take xandy as independent
variable (unknown function).
a z o' z s apartial
An equation of the form f*,3, &
hy' ag? bxôy' ay
differential equation in two variables.

Remarks :
more than two independent
1. Need of partial derivatives arise when there are two or there are more than one
variables. Therefore, in a partial differential equation
independent variables.
2. We denote the partial derivatives of first and higher orders as
ôz ôz z
ôx @y' @x? @xoy' oy2
book
for which we shall use symbols p, q, r, s, t respectively throughout this
ôz ôz -t
= 8,
Ox - P oy
=r,
i.e., @x@y y2
 1.2 PARTIAL DIFFERENTAL EQUATIONG

1.3, ORDER AND DEGREE OF A PARTIAL DIFFERENTIAL EQUATION

The order ofapartial differential equation is the order of the highest-order partial derivatie
occuring in it.
The degree of a partial differential equation is the greatest exponent of the highest order
partial derivative occuring in it, after making it free from radicals and fractions as far as
derivatives are concerned.
e.g., (i) 2.ôz +y2
=z is apartial differential equation of first order and first degree.
ôx ôy

2
ôz
is a partial differential equation of first order and second
degree.
Oz 3
4

(iiü) + 5| =zis a partial differential equation of first order and fourth degree.

(iv) =x+y is a partial differential equation of secondorder and first degree.

2
0z
(v) =(*+2) is a partial differential equation of third order and first
Ox Ox

degree.

1.4. LINEAR ANDNON-LINEAR PARTIAL

DIFFERENTIAL EQUATION
A
partial differential equation issaid to be linear if the
dependent variable and itspartial
derivatives occur only in first degree and are not multiplied together.
called non-linear partial differential equation.
Otherwise the equation is

1.5. FORMATION OF EQUATION BY THE ELIMINATION OF ARBITRARY

CONSTANTS
Let fa, y, z, a, b) = 0 ..(1)
be a relation, where z is regarded as a function of two
b denote the arbitrary constants.
independent variables x and y, and a and
FORMATION OF PARTIAL DIFFERENTIAL EQUATIONS
1.3

Differentiating (1) partially w.r.t. x, we have

ôf of ôz =0
Ox Oz ôx

i.e., ôff
ôx
·p =0 .2)
Differentiating (1)partially w.r.t. y, we have
of +of ôz =0
ôy ôz ôy
ie., ôf of 9 =0 -.(3)
ôy ôz
Eliminating a and bfrom (1), (2) and (3), we obtain a partial differential equation of theform
f(x, y,z, P, q) = 0 ..4)
which is a partial differential equation of first order.

Remarks
) Ifthe number of arbitrary constants is equal to the number of independentvariables,
then the elimination of constants usually shall give rise to one partial differential
equation of first order.
(ü) Ifthe number of arbitraryconstants is less than the number of independent variables,
then the elimination of constants usually shall give rise to more than one partial
differential equation of first order.
(üm) If the number of arbitrary constants is more than the number of independent variables,
then the elimination of constants usually shall give rise to a partial differential equation
of order higher than one.

SOLVED EXAMPLES

Example1.
Form the partial differential equation by eliminating arbitrary constants a and b
from the equation z = ax + by + a² + b.
[M.D.U.2018, 16; K.U. 2012)
Solution. The given equation is
z = 4X + by + a² + b² .(1)
Differentiating (1) partially w.r.t. x, we have
...(2)
 PARTIAL DIFFERENTIAL EQUATIONS
1.4
Differentiating (1)partially w.r.t. y, we have
0z
.3)
Toeliminate a andb, putting their valuesfrom (2) and (3) in (1), we have
2
ôz ôz
-+ y +
ôy
equation.
which is the required differential

Example 2.
equation
Form the partialdifferential equation by eliminating h andk from the
(*-h)² + (y - k)² + z2 = 12, [M.D.U. 2013; K.U. 2013)
Solution. The given equation is
(r-h)² + (y -k)² +z2 = 22 ...1)
Differentiating (1) partially w.r.t. x, we have
2(*h) + 22 =0 ...2)

Differentiating (1) partially w.r.t. y, we have

ôz
2(y k) + 22 =0 ...3)
ôy
ôz
From (2), x-h =-Z

From (3), y-k =-z

ôy
Substituting the values of (* - h) and (y - k) in (1), the required differential equation is
2

+2' +2' =22,

Example 3.
2
Find a partialdifferential equation by eliminating a, b, c from 62=l.

Solution. The given equation is [M.D.U. 2016]

=1 ...(1)

Differentiating (1) partially w.r.t. x, we have

2x
=0

Differentiating partialy w.r.t. ximplies yis a con stant]

FORMATION OF PARTIAL, DIFFERENTIAL EQUATIONS 1.5

i.e., =0

Or ôz ...2)

Differentiating (1)partially w.r.t. y,we have

2y 22 ôz ôz
=0 cy +b²z -= 0 ...(3)
ôy
In this example, the number of arbitrary constants is three more than the number of
independent variables. Therefore, more equations are required to eliminate a, b, c.
Differentiating (2) w.r.t. x and (3) w.r.t. y,we have
2
+a2 =0 ...4)

e+6'2 +62 =0 ...5)

a'z ôz
Putting the value of c2 = - from (2) in (4), we get

2
a'z ôz + a'z +a2| =0

Dividing by a' and multiplying by x, we get

2
ôz
=0 ...(6)
ôx

which is the required differential equation.

Another form of the differential equation can also be obtained which is as follows :

From (3), c2 =
y ôy
Substituting the value of e² in (5), we get
=0
y oy
Multiplyíng by yand dividing by b², we get
=0.
 1.6 PARTIAL DIFFERENTIAL EQUATIONS

Example 4.
Find the differential equation byeliminating the arbitrary constants ' and Afrom
the equation z = Ae- cos Ax. [K.U. 2015, 14;C.D.L.U. 2012)
Solution. The given equation is z = Ae- cos x ...1)
Differentiating (1) partially w.r.t. x, we have
0z
= Ae- (- sin x) ..2)
Differentiating (1) partially w.r.t. t, we have
-Ae- 22 cos x ...3)
ot
Differentiating (2) partially w.r.t x, we have
o'z
=- Ae-t. 22 cos x ...4)
From (3) and (4), we have

ot
which is the required differential equation.
Example 5.

Find the differential equation of all spheres of fixed radius having centre in
ty-plane. [M.D.U. 2014, 13, 12, 08, 05; C.D.L.U. 2012; K.U. 2005]
Solution. Equation of given family of spheres having centre in y plane i.e., at (h, k, 0)and
fixed radius r is

(x-h +(y-k² +z2=p2 ...1)

where h, k are arbitrary constants.
Differentiating (1) partially w.r.t. x, we have
2(*- h)+ 22 0

Or (x-h) +z=0 .(2)

Differentiating (1)partially w. r.t. y, we have

2(y -k) + 2z =0
ôy
Or (y-k) +z -0 ...(3)
ôy
FORMATION OF PARTIAL DIFFERENTIAL EQUATIONS
1.7
From (2), ôz
x-h =-2

From (3), ôz
y-k = - Z
y
Substituting these values in (1), the required differential equation is
2
+22 = 2

2
Or +1 = r2

Example 6. Find the differential equations of the set ofall right cireular cones
whose ares coincide with z aris. (K.U. 2017, 15]
Solution. The family of all right circular cones whose axes coincide with z-axis, having
semi-vertical angle a and vertex at (0, 0) is
( + y²) =(2-c tan² a ...(1)
where cand a are arbitrary constants.
Differentiating (1) partially w.r.t. xand y,we have
2x =2(2 -c) tan a ...2)

oz
and 2y = 2(2-c) tan a ...3)

Dividing (2) by (3), we get

0r
=y which is the required differential equation.
oy

Example 7. Find the differential equations ofallplanes which are at a constant

distance 'a' from the origin. [M.D.U. 2012)
Solution. The equation of given plane is lx + my + nz =a ..(1)
where l, m, n are the direction cosines of the normal from the origin to the plane.
Thus, 12+m² + n²=1
n=1--m
 [L81

PARTIAL DIFFERENTIAIL, EQUNTIONg

Substituting thevalue of nin (1), we have
x+ my + 1- -m' z =a
Diferentiating (2) partially w.r.t. x,we have
0z
l+ y1-12 -m? =0
ôx ..3)
Differentiating (2) partially w.r.t. y, we have
m+1-' - m? =0

Now we eliminate l, m between (2), (3) and (4).

From (3), l=- 1-1?-m? .5)

From (4), m =-1-12-m2 Cz

..6)

Squaring (5) and (6) and adding, we get

2 + m²= (1 -12-m2)

(2 + m) = - (2 + m²)

Oz
(72 + m²)
y

Or 12 + m'= 2 2
1+
oy

Þy
or 1-2-m' = 1
FORMATION OF PARTLAL DIFFERENTIAL EQUATIONS 1,9

1
...7)
1 4

Oz
From (5), l=-1-? -m?

ôx
[Using (7))
2
ôz
Ox

ôz

m=- 1-12 - m' y

From (6),
Gy 2
ôz

Substituting these values in (2), we get

1
2 2 2
Cz

2 2
ôz
Or + +

which is the required differential equation.

Example 8.

Find the partial differential equation ofplanes having equal xandy intercepts.
Solution. The equation of a plane having equal xand yintercepts is given by
-++1 ...(1)
C

where a and c are two arbitrary constants.

Differentiating (1) partially w.r.t. x and y, we have
1 10z ..(2)
c @x

1 10z
and .(3)
C e @y
 1.10 PARTIAL DIFFERENTTAL EQUATIONG
From (2) and (3), we get
1ôz 1 ôz
c ôx côy
ôz ôz
Or
ôx @y
Or
-0,
which is the required differential equation.

Form the partial differential equations by eliminating the arbitrary constants

from the following relations (Q.1- 15] :
1. z= ax +y) + br-y) + abt + c 2. z=ar +by [MD.U. 2014)
E
3. z=ax t aty +b
X 5. z=(rt a) (y +b) 6. z= ax+ by +ab
E
R ar'
7. 8. a'+ by² +z'=1

9. z= ax + bxy +cy²
I
[M.D.U. 2007]
S 10. z= Ae cos mx sin ny, where P= m+n,
11. z=ax + by +cxy 12. ar? +by² +cz?= 1.
E
1
13. z=(+ a) (² +b) 14. z= ax e +

1.1 15. 22 =
y2
[MD.U. 2006]

16. Find the differential equation of all spheres whose centre lie on
z-axis.
17. Show that differential equations of all cones which have their vertex at the
origin is px + qy=z.

SEASNV
1.
2. 3z

3.
FORMATION OF PARTIAL DIFFERENTIAL EQUATIONS 1.11]
0z ôz
5. 2= 6. Z=Xy
Öy Ox ôy
ANSWERS
8

9. 2:=20'2 =0
+ 2xy 10.
ôxôy y?

0z ôz ôz ôz
=0
11. X+y a -=Z 12.
ôx oy ôx ôy

ôz Gz
13. pq = 4xyz 14.

ôz ôz
15. 2z X
= +y 16. yaA
oy

1.6. FORMATION OF EQUATIONBY THE ELIMINATION OF ARBITRARY FUNCTIONS

Supposeu and v are two functions of x, y, z which are connected by the relation
fu, v) = 0 ...(1)
Differentiating (1) w.r.t. x, we get
ôf (ou ôu ôz +
ôf( ôu + =0

ôf ( ou Ou
+ =0 ...2)
Or + .p+
Ou Ox ôuôx ôz
[When we differentiate u partially w.r.t. x we regard yas constant
and treat z as dependent variable.l
Now,differentiating (1) w.r.t. y(regarding xas constant),
öf( ou Ou ôz =0
ôu ôy ôz ôy

of (ou Ou
Or
ôu ôy 0 ..(3)
 1.12 PARTIAL DIFFERENTIAL EQUATIONS

Now we shall eliminate C and from (2) and (3).

ou

From (2), of ôu =0
ôu ôx ôz ôuôx ôz ..4)

From (3), ôf ôu Ôu
=0
ôu @y ôz ou@y ôz ..5)

Dividing (5) by (4) and cross multiplying, we get

Ou Qu Ôu U
q
y Oz Ox Oz

ou ôu ôu ôu
or p+
oy ôz ôz oy) ôz ôx Ôx Ôz ôx oy Ôy ôx
Or
Pp + Qg =R ..(6)
Ou Ou
where P= written as ou, v)
oy ôz oz y o(y, z)
Ou Ou o(u, v)
Q=
Ox ôz o(z, x)
Ou ôu O(u, v)
R=
O(x, y)
Equation (6) is the required differential equation of first order and first degree.
Note :
The order of the partial diferential equation
obtained by eliminating arbitrary functions is, in
general, equal to the number of arbitrary functions eliminated.

SOLVED EXAMPLES

Example 1. Find apartial differential equation by

eliminating the function f
from the relation
1
z= y² +2r+log y [M.D.U. 2015, 14, 13, 12; K.U. 2015, 10]

Solution. The given equation is z= y' +2f+ logy ...(1)

FORMATION OF PARTIAL DIFFERENTIAL EQUATIONS L.13
Differentiating (1) partially w.r.t. x, we get
ôz
Ox
+ log:

or
2rlog y ...2)

Differentiating (1) partially w.r.t. y, we get

1 1
ôy =2y +2f+log y
oz
+ log y ...3)

2 Cz

Dividing (2) by (3), we have =1

2y2

ôz ôz
or -x'p =yq - 2y p= q=
y
Or xp + yq = 2y',
which is the required partial differential equation.

Example 2. Form a partial differentialequation by eliminating the functionf

from fr+y+z, +y²- z) =0. [K.U. 2009, 07)
Solution. Here flr+y +z, +y? -z) =0
Or lu, v) = 0 ...(1)
where u=X+y +z ...(2)
and v=x+y? -z2(say) .(3)

Differentiating (1) partially w.r.t. x, we have

of (ou Ôu 0z of ÔU .4)
Ôu ôx
From (2) and (3), we have
Ôu Ou
=1, = 1,
ôx

Ôu
1,2y
ôy
 PARTIAL DIFFERENTIAL, EQUATIONS

Substituting these values in (4), we get

ôu
L(1+p)+(2r-2zp) =0 p=

Or La+p)+2-pe)
u
=0 .5)
Similarly differentiating (1) partially w.r.t. y, we have
of ôu ôu ôz 4 =0
ôu ôy oz @y

f (1+q)t (2y - 2zq) =0 q=

Ôu oy
Or
ôu
I1+g) +2(y-zq) =0 ...6)

From (5),
ôu
1+p)= -2(-pe)
U

From (6),
Qu
-(1+g) =-2(y- zq)
Dividing these and cross multiplying, we get
(1+p) (y-zq) = (1+) (-pz)
Or
ply +z) -(x +z)q= x - y,
which is the required partial differential equation.

Example 3. Obtain a partial differentialequation by eliminating the arbitrary

functions from :
z= fu- ay) + gr+ ay).
[K.U.2009, 07)
Solution. Here z =fx- ay)+ gx +ay)
= f' (x- ay) + g'+ay)

=f" (x- ay) + g"a+ay) ...(1)

Similarly, 0y f'k-ay) (- a) +g'x+ ay) (a)

= f" (x- ay) (- a +g'"a +ay) (a

FORMATION OF PARTIAL DIFFERENTIAL EQUATIONS
1.15|

.(2)
Or =a'|f" (x- ay) +g" (x +ay)l
From (1) and (2), we have

, which is the required differential equation.

ôy?

Example 4. Eliminate the arbitrary functions and hence obtain the partial

differentialequations from
z=f(* cos a +ysin a - at) + ( cos a +y sin a + at). [K.U. 2008, 04]
Solution. Here z=fx cos a +y sin a at) + (x cos a +y sin a t at)
0z . cos a
=f'( cOs a + ysin a- at).cos a + ' (x cos a+y sin a + at)

cos a ..(1)
=f"*cos a + ysin a -at) cos a + "(x cos a +y sin a + at)

sin a ...(2)
Similarly, =f"(* cos a + ysin a - at) sin a + " (* cos a +y sin a + at)

ôz
=f'( cos a + ysin a - at) .(-a) + (x cos a +y sin a + at).a
ôt

=f"(x cos a + ysin a at) .(- a) + " (x cos a +y sin a + at) . a?

1z =f"( cos a + ysin a - at) + "( cos a +y sin a

at) .3)
Or

Adding (1) and (2), we get

at)
=f"(x cos a + ysin a at)+ '(x cos a+y sin at

1 z [Using (3)
L.e.,
which is the required differential equation.

Example 5. Form the partial differentialequation by eliminating arbitrary

function from z = f [K.U. 2018, 17; M.D.U. 2013]

 PARTIAL DIFFERENTIAL EQUATION

Solution. Here
Differentiating (1) partially w.r.t. x,we have
0z
z.1-x

-.2)

Differentiating (1) partially w.r.t. y, we have

oz
ôz z.1- ya
Gy ..3)

ôz
Dividing (2) by (3) and writingp for and g for we have
y

Z- xp
y

Or P_yz -xyp

Or
pxz - xypq = qyz xypq
or
pzx = qyz
or
px-qy =0,
which is the required partial differential equation.

Example 6. Eliminate the arbitrary function to form a partial differential

equation for the equation
z=e- by f(ax + by). [M.D.U. 2014, 08)
Solution. Here z= eu-by f(ax + by) ...1)
Differentiating (1) partially w.r.t. xand y, we have
=e4r -by af(ax + by) + ear -by f' (ax + by) a .(2)

= ex-by (-6) f(ax + by) + ear -by f'(ax + byb ...3)

y
FORMATION OF PARTIAL DIFFERENTIAL EQUATIONS 1.17
Multiplying (2) by band (3) by aand subtracting, we have
= 2ab ea - by f(ax + by)
Ôy

z ôz
ôx y
or = ear-by f (ax + by)
2ab

Then from (1), 2abz = b2 which is the required differential equation.

ôx ôy

Example7.

Obtain partial differentialequationby eliminating the arbitrary functions from

the following :

z = f(xy) + g [K.U.2014, 13, 10; M.D.U. 2013, 12]

Solution. The given equation is

z = fy) + g ...1)

Differentiating (1) partially w.r.t. x, we have

1
...(2)

Differentiating (1) partially w.r.t. y, we have

ôz
..(3)
y
Differentiating (2) w.r.t. x and (3) w.r.t. y, we have
...(4)

and
= f"ay) x +g" .(5)

Multiplying (4) by x² and (5) by y² and subtracting, we have

2x ...(6)
y2 y
 PARTIAL DIFFERENTIAL EQUATIONS

Multiplying (2) by xand (3) by yand subtracting, we have

ôy ..T)
Adding (6) and (7), the required differential equation is

-+x =0.

Obtain partial differential equations by eliminating the arbitrary functions from the
following :
E 1. ¢=f(«+ iy) +fu- iy)
X
2. z=xf(r+)+fa+)
E
3. Ix +mytnz =(+y' +z)
R
1
C 4. z= -¯e- a) +F(r +ay))
I 5. z=fo-) 6. f+y,z-x) =0
S [MD.U. 2016; K.U. 2014)
E 7. z=f(-y) +g +y) 8. xyz = (r+ytz)
[KU. 2016] [MD.U. 2015)
1.2 9. z=yf() +x g(y) 10. z=*
[MD.U.2014)
[KU. 2012]

1. =( 2. 2 =0
ANSWERS
Oz
3. (l+ np)y + (lg - mp)z (m + nq)x 4.

5. a t = 0 6. x4- py=
ôy

7. 43Oz
8. px -z) + qy (z-)=z-)

oz
9. Xty=y 10.
ox ôy Ox öy