Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
The given equation is a first-order, higher-degree differential equation. By rearranging it, we can check if it fits the form of Clairaut's equation, which is \(y = px + f(p)\).
Step 2: Key Formula or Approach:
1. Rearrange the given differential equation to solve for \(y\).
2. If the equation is in the form \(y = px + f(p)\), it is Clairaut's equation.
3. The general solution of Clairaut's equation is obtained by replacing the parameter \(p\) with an arbitrary constant \(c\).
Step 3: Detailed Explanation:
The given differential equation is:
\[ xp^2 - yp + a = 0 \]
We want to solve for \(y\). Rearrange the terms:
\[ yp = xp^2 + a \]
Assuming \(p \neq 0\), we can divide by \(p\):
\[ y = \frac{xp^2}{p} + \frac{a}{p} \]
\[ y = xp + \frac{a}{p} \]
This equation is now in the standard form of Clairaut's equation, \(y = px + f(p)\), where \(f(p) = \frac{a}{p}\).
To find the general solution, we replace every instance of \(p\) with an arbitrary constant, which we'll call \(c\).
\[ y = cx + \frac{a}{c} \]
This gives the general solution, which represents a family of straight lines.
Step 4: Final Answer:
The general solution of the given Clairaut's equation is \(y = cx + \frac{a}{c}\), which corresponds to option (A).