The solution curve of the differential equation , passing through the point , is a conic whose vertex lies on the line:
- A
- B
- C
- D
The solution curve of the differential equation , passing through the point , is a conic whose vertex lies on the line:
Correct answer:A
Standard Method
Given: and the curve passes through .
Find: The line on which the vertex of the conic lies.
Rearranging,
So,
Hence,
Separating variables,
Integrating both sides,
we get
that is,
Using the point ,
so
Therefore the curve is
Completing the square,
So the vertex of the parabola is
Now check the options at this point:
Therefore, the vertex lies on the line . The correct option is A.
Direct Vertex Form
Given: with point .
Find: The line containing the vertex.
From
write
Integrating,
Using ,
Thus,
Complete the square immediately:
Hence the vertex is
and substituting into the required line gives
Therefore, the correct option is A.
Students may treat the equation as linear in and try to use an integrating factor. That is incorrect because the equation is directly separable after factoring . First rewrite it as and then separate variables.
A common mistake is using the point incorrectly while finding the constant. Substituting carefully into gives , not any other value. An incorrect constant shifts the entire parabola and changes the vertex.
While completing the square, students often write instead of . This is wrong because the square completion for requires adding . Use the standard form carefully.
Get unlimited AI-adaptive practice, mastery tracking, and an AI tutor that explains every step — free to start.