I keep getting “Order and degree” questions wrong in Differential Equations. What's the trap?
reading the degree off a square-rooted or fractional form.
The usual trap: reading the degree off a square-rooted or fractional form. How to avoid it: clear radicals in the derivatives first, then read the degree. Go back to the definition — the order is the highest derivative present; the degree is the power of that highest derivative (once the equation is free of radicals/fractions in derivatives).
Key point
Order and degree
Common mistake
reading the degree off a square-rooted or fractional form.
Memory tip
clear radicals in the derivatives first, then read the degree.
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