Differential equations are tested every year. The actual solving of the differential equation is usually the main part of the problem, but it is accompanied by a related question such as a slope field or a tangent line approximation. BC students may also be asked to approximate using Euler’s Method. Large parts of the BC questions are often suitable for AB students and contribute to the AB sub-score of the BC exam.

What students should be able to do

• Find the general solution of a differential equation using the method of separation of variables (this is the only method tested).
• Find a particular solution using the initial condition to evaluate the constant of integration – initial value problem (IVP).
• NEW Determine the domain restrictions on the solution of a differential equation. See this post for more on this. 
• Understand that proposed solution of a differential equation is a function (not a number) and if it and its derivative are substituted into the given differential equation the resulting equation is true. This may be part of doing the problem even if solving the differential equation is not required (see 2002 BC 5 – parts a, b and d are suitable for AB)
• Growth-decay problems.
• Draw a slope field by hand.
• Sketch a particular solution on a given slope field.
• Interpret a slope field.
• Multiple-choice: Given a differential equation, identify is slope field.
• Multiple-choice: Given a slope field identify its differential equation.
• Use the given derivative to analyze a function such as finding extreme values
• For BC only: Use Euler’s Method to approximate a solution.
• For BC only: use the method of partial fractions to find the antiderivative after separating the variables.
• For BC only: understand the logistic growth model, its asymptotes, meaning, etc. The exams so far, have never asked students to actually solve a logistic equation IVP

Look at the scoring standards to learn how the solution of the differential equation is scored, and therefore, how students should present their answer. This is usually the one free-response answer with the most points riding on it. Starting in 2016 the scoring has changed slightly. The five points are now distributed this way:

• one point for separating the variables
• one point each for finding the antiderivatives
• one point for including the constant of integration and using the initial condition – that is, for writing “+ C” on the paper with one of the antiderivatives and substituting the initial condition; finding the value of C is included in the “answer point.” and
• one point for solving for y: the “answer point”, for the correct answer. This point includes all the algebra and arithmetic in the problem including solving for C..

In the past, the domain of the solution is often included on the scoring standard, but unless it is specifically asked for in the question students do not need to include it. However, the new CED lists “EK 3.5A3 Solutions to differential equations may be subject to domain restrictions.” Perhaps this will be asked in the future. For more on domain restrictions with examples see this post.

Shorter questions on this concept appear in the multiple-choice sections. As always, look over as many questions of this kind from past exams as you can find.

For some previous posts on differential equations see January 5, 2015 and for post on related subjects see November 26, 2012,  January 21, 2013 February 1, 6, 2013

Free-response examples:

• 2017 AB4/BC4,
• 2016 AB 4, BC 4, (different questions)
• 2015 AB4/BC4,
• 2013 BC 5
• and a favorite  Good Question 2 and Good Question 2 Continued

Multiple-choice examples from non-secure exams:

• 2012 AB 23, 25
• 2012 BC: 12, 14, 16, 23

Schedule of review postings:

• Tuesday February 27 – AP Exam Review
• Friday, March 1 – Resources for reviewing
• Tuesday March 5 – Type 1 questions – Rate and accumulation questions
• Friday March 8 – Type 2 questions – Linear motion problems
• Tuesday March 12 – Type 3 questions – Graph analysis problems 
• Friday March 15 – Type 4 questions – Area and volume problems
• Tuesday Match 19 Type 5 questions – Table and Riemann sum questions
• Friday March 22 Type 6 questions – Differential equation questions (this post)
• Tuesday March 26 – Type 7 questions – miscellaneous
• Friday March 29 Type 8 questions – Parametric and vector questions (BC topic)
• Tuesday April 2 Type 9 questions – Polar equations
• Friday April 5 Type 10 questions – Sequences and Series