CLAIRAUT’S

EQUATION
CLAIRAUT’S EQUATION The equation
y = xp + f(p) ……………..(1)
Is known as Clairaut’s Equation. Differentiate both
sides of eq (1) w r t x, we get

dy dp df ( p ) dp
= p+ x + [ ]
dx dx dp dx
dp df ( p ) dp
⇒ p = p+ x + [ ]
dx dp dx
dp df ( p ) dp
⇒x + [ ]= 0
dx dp dx
 df ( p ) dp
⇒ [x + ][ ] = 0
dp dx
Since one of the factors must be zero, two
different solutions arise

dp
(i)If = 0then p = c. Put this in eq (1) and get
dx
the general solution y = cx + f(c)
df ( p ) df ( p )
(ii) If x+ =0 then x = − and
dp dp
df ( p )
Eq (1) can be written as y = −p + f ( p)
dp
 Thus x and y are both expressed as function of p
and we obtain the parametric equations
df ( p ) df ( p )
x=− , y = −p + f ( p ) ..(2)
dp dp
of a curve representing a solution of eq (1). The
solution (2) is called the Singular solution.
This solution is not deducible from the general
solution. P may be eliminated between the two
equations in (2) to get a relation in x and y
involving no constant.
Singular Solution In some cases there may be
further solution of a DE which cannot be obtained by
a definite value to arbitrary constant in general
solution such solution is called singular solution
e.g dy dy
( − x ) + y = 0………………..(A)
dx dx
has the general solution y = c(c-x) which represent a
family of straight lines where each line corresponds to
a definite value of c. A further
2
x
solution is y = (Parabola) is the singular
solution of eq (A)4 As we cannot obtain it by
assigning a definite value to c in the general solution
 Each particular solution represent a tangent to
the parabola
Solve
y = xp − e p
……………………..(1)
dy dp p dp
= p+ x −e
Soln: Diff it w r t x dx dx dx
dp p dp p dp
⇒ p = p+ x −e ⇒ (x − e ) =0
dx dx dx
dp
( x − e ) = 0...and ...
p
=0
This gives dx
dp
= 0.. gives .. p = c
dx
So eq (1) becomes
y = cx − e c
Which is the general solution
Now
x − e = 0.. gives ..e = x ..also ... p = ln x
p p

Put this in eq (1)

y = x ln x − x
Which is singular solution
Solve
y = xp + a 1 + p 2
………..(1)

Soln: Diff it w r t x
dy dp 2ap dp
= p+ x +
dx dx 2 1 + p 2 dx
dp 2ap dp
⇒ p = p+ x +
dx 2 1 + p 2 dx
ap dp
⇒ [x + ] =0
2 dx
1+ p
This gives
ap dp
x+ = 0...and .. =0
1+ p 2 dx
dp
Now
= 0.. gives .. p = c and
dx
Put p = c in eq (1) y = cx + a 1 + c 2

Which is the general solution. Now

ap ap
x+ = 0... gives .. x = −
1+ p 2
1+ p 2
 ap
⇒ 1 + p = − ..............( 2)
2

x
2 2
a p
⇒ 1+ p = 2
2

x
⇒ x + x p −a p = 0
2 2 2 2 2

⇒ x + (x − a )p = 0
2 2 2 2

2
x
⇒ 2 = −( x − a )
2 2
………………..(3)
p
Now using eq (2) in eq (1)
2
ap a p
y = xp − a[ ] ⇒ y = xp −
x x
p 2 x x 2
− a 2
⇒ y = (x − a ) ⇒ =
2

x p y
x (x − a )
2 2 2 2
⇒ 2 = 2
……………….(4)
p y
Comparing eq (3) and eq (4), we get

(x − a ) 2 2 2
− (x − a ) =
2 2
2
y
⇒ (x − a ) = − y
2 2 2

⇒ x + y =a
2 2 2

which is singular solution

Solve
y = xp − p ……………………..(1)
dy dp 1 dp
= p+ x −
Soln: Diff it w r t x dx dx 2 p dx
dp 1 dp 1 dp
p = p+ x − ⇒ (x − ) =0
dx 2 p dx 2 p dx
1 dp
(x − ) = 0...and ... =0
This gives 2 p dx
dp
= 0.. gives .. p = c
dx
y = cx − c
So eq (1) becomes
Which is the general solution
Now
1 1
(x − ) = 0... gives ... x =
2 p 2 p
1 1
Also ... x = = 0... gives ... p =
2 p 2x
Put this in eq (1)
x 1 1 1
y= 2
− = −
4x 2x 4x 2x
1
=−
4x Which is singular solution