MCQMediumJEE 2024Linear Differential Equations

JEE Mathematics 2024 Question with Solution

Let f:R{0}Rf : \mathbb{R} - \{0\} \to \mathbb{R} be a function satisfying f(xy)=f(x)f(y)f\left(\frac{x}{y}\right) = \frac{f(x)}{f(y)} for all x,yx, y with f(y)0f(y) \neq 0. If f(1)=2024f'(1) = 2024, then:

  • A

    xf(x)2024f(x)=0xf'(x) - 2024f(x) = 0

  • B

    xf(x)+2024f(x)=0xf(x) + 2024f(x) = 0

  • C

    f(x)+xf(x)=2024f(x) + xf'(x) = 2024

  • D

    xf(x)2023f(x)=0xf(x) - 2023f(x) = 0

Answer

Correct answer:A

Step-by-step solution

Standard Method

Given: f(xy)=f(x)f(y)f\left(\frac{x}{y}\right) = \frac{f(x)}{f(y)} and f(1)=2024f'(1) = 2024.

Find: Which differential equation is satisfied by f(x)f(x).

From the functional equation, take the standard power-form assumption used in the solution:

f(x)=xkf(x) = x^k

Then

f(xy)=(xy)k=xkyk=f(x)f(y)f\left(\frac{x}{y}\right) = \left(\frac{x}{y}\right)^k = \frac{x^k}{y^k} = \frac{f(x)}{f(y)}

so this form satisfies the given relation.

Differentiate:

f(x)=kxk1f'(x) = kx^{k-1}

Using f(1)=2024f'(1) = 2024,

f(1)=k=2024f'(1) = k = 2024

Hence,

f(x)=x2024f(x) = x^{2024}

and

f(x)=2024x2023f'(x) = 2024x^{2023}

Now test option A:

xf(x)2024f(x)=x(2024x2023)2024x2024=0xf'(x) - 2024f(x) = x\big(2024x^{2023}\big) - 2024x^{2024} = 0

Therefore, the correct option is A.

Option Verification

Given: f(x)=x2024f(x) = x^{2024} obtained from the solution working.

Find: Which of the four options is true.

Substitute f(x)=x2024f(x) = x^{2024} and f(x)=2024x2023f'(x) = 2024x^{2023} into each option:

A: xf(x)2024f(x)=x(2024x2023)2024x2024=0B: xf(x)+2024f(x)=xx2024+2024x2024=(x+2024)x20240C: f(x)+xf(x)=x2024+x(2024x2023)=2025x20242024D: xf(x)2023f(x)=xx20242023x2024=(x2023)x20240\begin{aligned} \text{A: } xf'(x) - 2024f(x) &= x(2024x^{2023}) - 2024x^{2024} = 0 \\ \text{B: } xf(x) + 2024f(x) &= xx^{2024} + 2024x^{2024} = (x+2024)x^{2024} \neq 0 \\ \text{C: } f(x) + xf'(x) &= x^{2024} + x(2024x^{2023}) = 2025x^{2024} \neq 2024 \\ \text{D: } xf(x) - 2023f(x) &= xx^{2024} - 2023x^{2024} = (x-2023)x^{2024} \neq 0 \end{aligned}

Only option A matches.

Pattern Recognition

Given: the solution identifies the function as a power form.

Find: The matching differential equation quickly.

If f(x)=xkf(x) = x^k, then

f(x)=kxk1f'(x) = kx^{k-1}

so multiplying by xx gives

xf(x)=kxk=kf(x)xf'(x) = kx^k = kf(x)

Hence every such function satisfies

xf(x)kf(x)=0xf'(x) - kf(x) = 0

Since f(1)=k=2024f'(1) = k = 2024, we get

xf(x)2024f(x)=0xf'(x) - 2024f(x) = 0

So the correct option is A.

Common mistakes

  • Assuming the condition directly gives a logarithmic function. That is incorrect because the given ratio form f(xy)=f(x)f(y)f\left(\frac{x}{y}\right)=\frac{f(x)}{f(y)} matches multiplicative power-type behavior here. Use the form f(x)=xkf(x)=x^k as done in the solution.

  • Using f(1)=2024f'(1)=2024 incorrectly as f(1)=2024f(1)=2024. The condition is about the derivative at x=1x=1, so after differentiating f(x)=xkf(x)=x^k, substitute into f(1)=k=2024f'(1)=k=2024.

  • Checking the options with the wrong derivative. For f(x)=x2024f(x)=x^{2024}, the derivative is f(x)=2024x2023f'(x)=2024x^{2023}, not 2024x20242024x^{2024}. Differentiate first, then substitute carefully.

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