Mathematics 2025 Paper I 50 marks Solve

Paper I — Q8

(a) Solve the differential equation (x + 2)(d^2y)/(dx²) - (2x + 5)dy/dx + 2y = (1 + x) e^x by the method of variation of…

(a)

Solve the differential equation (x + 2)(d^2y)/(dx²) - (2x + 5)dy/dx + 2y = (1 + x) e^x by the method of variation of parameters. 15 marks

(b)

Verify Gauss's divergence theorem for F⃗ = [(x² - yz)î + (y² - zx)ĵ + (z² - xy)k̂], taken over the rectangular parallelopiped 0 ≤ x ≤ a,0 ≤ y ≤ b,0 ≤ z ≤ c. 15 marks

(c)

A particle is projected inside a fixed smooth cylinder with circular cross-section in a vertical plane from the lowest point with initial horizontal velocity u. Show that for (i) (u² ≤ 2ag); the particle oscillates about the mean position in the lower half, (ii) (u² ≥ 5ag); the particle executes complete circular motion, and (iii) (2ag < u² < 5ag); the particle will leave the curve in a tangential direction, making an angle α with the horizontal such that cos α = (u² - 2ag)/3ag. 20 marks

हिंदी में प्रश्न पढ़ें
(a)

अवकल समीकरण (x + 2)(d^2y)/(dx²) - (2x + 5)dy/dx + 2y = (1 + x) e^x को प्राचल विचरण विधि द्वारा हल कीजिए। (15 अंक)

(b)

समकोणिक समांतरपटलक 0 ≤ x ≤ a,0 ≤ y ≤ b,0 ≤ z ≤ cपरF⃗ = [(x² - yz)î + (y² - zx)ĵ + (z² - xy)k̂] के लिए गॉस अपसरण प्रमेय सत्यापित कीजिए। (15 अंक)

(c)

एक कण को उच्चाधर तल में वृत्ताकर अनुप्रस्थ-परिच्छेद वाले स्थिर चिकने बेलन के अंदर प्रारंभिक क्षैतिज वेग u के साथ सबसे निचले बिंदु से प्रक्षेपित किया जाता है। दर्शाइए कि (i) (u² ≤ 2ag) के लिए; कण निचले आधे भाग में माध्य स्थिति के आसपास (about) दोलन करता है, (ii) (u² ≥ 5ag) के लिए; कण पूर्णतः वृत्तीय गति करता है, और (iii) (2ag < u² < 5ag) के लिए; कण, वक्र को एक स्पर्श की दिशा में, जो क्षैतिज के साथ कोण α बनाती है, छोड़ देगा, जबकि cos α = (u² - 2ag)/3ag है। (20 अंक)

Q8 of the 2025 UPSC Mains Mathematics Paper I, as printed
The question as printed in the 2025 Mathematics paper

Model answer

Written by UPSC Answer Check against this question's marking rubric, to the expected length. UPSC does not publish answers for Mains — this is one way to score well, not an official key.

(a) The homogeneous equation is (x+2)y'' - (2x+5)y' + 2y = 0. It is satisfied by y1 = e^(2x) and y2 = 2x+5. Their Wronskian is W = e^(2x)·2 - 2e^(2x)(2x+5) = -4(x+2)e^(2x).

Let y = u e^(2x) + v(2x+5). By variation of parameters, u' e^(2x) + v'(2x+5) = 0, 2u' e^(2x) + 2v' = (1+x)e^x/(x+2).

Solving these, u' = (1+x)(2x+5)e^(-x)/[4(x+2)^2], v' = -(1+x)e^x/[4(x+2)^2].

A convenient integration gives u = -(2x+3)e^(-x)/[4(x+2)], v = -e^x/[4(x+2)]. Differentiating these gives exactly the above u', v'. Hence y_p = u e^(2x) + v(2x+5) = -(2x+3)e^x/[4(x+2)] - (2x+5)e^x/[4(x+2)] = -e^x.

Therefore the general solution, valid for x ≠ -2, is y = C1 e^(2x) + C2(2x+5) - e^x.

(b) ∇·F = ∂/∂x(x^2-yz) + ∂/∂y(y^2-zx) + ∂/∂z(z^2-xy) = 2x + 2y + 2z.

Thus ∭_V ∇·F dV = ∫_0^a ∫_0^b ∫_0^c 2(x+y+z) dz dy dx = abc(a+b+c).

Now compute the surface flux over the six faces. x = 0: n = -i, F·n = yz. Flux = (b^2/2)(c^2/2) = b^2c^2/4. x = a: n = i, F·n = a^2 - yz. Flux = a^2bc - b^2c^2/4. Sum over x-faces = a^2bc.

y = 0: n = -j, F·n = zx. Flux = a^2c^2/4. y = b: n = j, F·n = b^2 - zx. Flux = ab^2c - a^2c^2/4. Sum over y-faces = ab^2c.

z = 0: n = -k, F·n = xy. Flux = a^2b^2/4. z = c: n = k, F·n = c^2 - xy. Flux = abc^2 - a^2b^2/4. Sum over z-faces = abc^2.

Therefore ∬_S F·n dS = a^2bc + ab^2c + abc^2 = abc(a+b+c). This equals the volume integral, so Gauss’s divergence theorem is verified.

(c) Let a be the radius and let θ be measured from the lowest point. The height above the lowest point is h = a(1 - cos θ). By conservation of energy, v^2 = u^2 - 2ga(1 - cos θ).

The radial equation, with N as the inward normal reaction, is m v^2/a = N - mg cos θ. Hence N = m(v^2/a + g cos θ) = m[(u^2 - 2ag)/a + 3g cos θ].

(i) If u^2 ≤ 2ag, then at the extreme position v = 0, so u^2 = 2ga(1 - cos θ). Since u^2 ≤ 2ag, this gives cos θ ≥ 0, i.e. θ ≤ π/2. Thus the particle cannot cross the horizontal diameter; it oscillates about the lowest point in the lower half.

(ii) For complete circular motion, contact must be maintained throughout. The minimum reaction occurs at the highest point θ = π: N_top = m[(u^2 - 2ag)/a - 3g] = m(u^2 - 5ag)/a. For N_top ≥ 0, we require u^2 ≥ 5ag. Then N ≥ 0 everywhere, so the particle executes complete circular motion.

(iii) If 2ag < u^2 < 5ag, then at θ = π/2, N > 0, while at θ = π, N < 0. Hence N becomes zero for some θ0 in (π/2, π). Setting N = 0, (u^2 - 2ag)/a + 3g cos θ0 = 0, so cos θ0 = -(u^2 - 2ag)/(3ag).

At this point the particle leaves the curve tangentially. If α is the acute angle made by the tangent with the horizontal, then cos α = |cos θ0| = (u^2 - 2ag)/(3ag). Thus the particle leaves in a tangential direction making the stated angle α with the horizontal.

What "Solve" is asking you to do

Choose the method, then carry it through to a final answer. Identifying what kind of problem this is and why that method applies is the first thing marked; a correct figure arrived at invisibly earns almost nothing.

Structure that answers it

Given data and what is required → method chosen, with the reason it applies → set-up (equation, circuit, free body, trial balance) → working, step by step → answer with units and any condition of validity

Where marks are lost

Doing the middle steps mentally and writing only the result. In mathematics papers, a further loss comes from giving a decimal where the exact value in surds or fractions was wanted, or from skipping the justification a part explicitly asks for.

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How this answer will be evaluated

Approach

(a) derive: given > assumptions > stepwise derivation > result > check | (b) derive: given > assumptions > stepwise derivation > result > check | (c) derive: given > assumptions > stepwise derivation > result > check Full marks: Rigorous derivations with all steps shown and verified.

Key points expected

  • Find complementary function y_c = c1e^x + c2e^(2x)
  • Set up Wronskian W = e^(3x)
  • Calculate u1' and u2' integrals correctly
  • Combine y_c and particular integral y_p
  • Calculate volume integral of div F = 2(x+y+z)
  • Evaluate surface integrals over all 6 faces
  • Show volume integral equals sum of surface integrals
  • Correct limits of integration for rectangular parallelepiped

Evaluation rubric

Each sub-part is marked on its own, against the marks and word limit printed on the paper.

  1. (a) Complete solution of the ODE using variation of parameters. 15 marks

    derive— given → assumptions → stepwise derivation → result → check

    Must cover

    • Find complementary function y_c = c1e^x + c2e^(2x)
    • Set up Wronskian W = e^(3x)
    • Calculate u1' and u2' integrals correctly
    • Combine y_c and particular integral y_p

    Loses marks

    • Incorrect Wronskian calculation
    • Missing particular integral term

    Earns more

    • Explicit integration steps for u1 and u2
    • Verification by substituting y into ODE

    Extra mark

    • Alternative method (e.g., undetermined coefficients) noted
  2. (b) Verification of Gauss's theorem via volume and surface integrals. 15 marks

    derive— given → assumptions → stepwise derivation → result → check

    Must cover

    • Calculate volume integral of div F = 2(x+y+z)
    • Evaluate surface integrals over all 6 faces
    • Show volume integral equals sum of surface integrals
    • Correct limits of integration for rectangular parallelepiped

    Loses marks

    • Incorrect divergence calculation
    • Missing or incorrect surface integral for any face

    Earns more

    • Clear labeling of outward normals for each face
    • Step-by-step evaluation of triple integral

    Extra mark

    • Sketch of the rectangular parallelepiped
  3. (c) Analysis of particle motion in a vertical circular cylinder. 20 marks

    derive— given → assumptions → stepwise derivation → result → check

    Must cover

    • Apply energy conservation to find velocity v(θ)
    • Derive condition for oscillation (u² ≤ 2ag)
    • Derive condition for complete circular motion (u² ≥ 5ag)
    • Derive cos α = (u² - 2ag)/3ag for intermediate case

    Loses marks

    • Incorrect energy conservation equation
    • Failure to relate N=0 to leaving the curve

    Earns more

    • Free body diagram showing normal reaction and gravity
    • Explicit derivation of normal reaction N(θ)

    Extra mark

    • Graph of N vs θ for different u values

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