MA262 Linear Algebra and Differential Equations Fall 2013, Purdue

Quiz2
Problem1
Solve the given differential equation

2xy dx + (x2 + 1)dy = 0

SOLUTION
∂M
M = 2xy = 2x
∂y
∂N
N = x2 + 1 = 2x
∂x
My = Nx ⇒ This is an exact diff. equ.
Z Z
Φ(x, y) = M dx = 2xydx = x2 y + h(y)
∂Φ
N = ⇒ x2 + 1 = x2 + h0 (y) ⇒ h0 (y) = 1 ⇒ h(y) = y + C
∂y
Therefore,

Φ(x, y) = x2 y + y + C (1)

and the solution is

x2 y + y = C
Remark1: this is also a separable equation. Try it with the separable
method!
Remark2: To those who stop at equation (1), please be attentive in
class, not be absent-minded!

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MA262 Linear Algebra and Differential Equations Fall 2013, Purdue

Problem2
Solve the given initial-value problem

(x − 1)(x − 2)y 00 = y 0 − 1; y(0) = 0, y 0 (0) = −1

SOLUTION
∂y
v=
∂x
∂v
= y 00
∂x
Plug in

(x − 1)(x − 2)v 0 = v − 1 (2)

It is separable.
dv 1
= dx
v−1 (x − 1)(x − 2)
 
−1 1
= + dx (a lot of mistakes here)
x−1 x−2
ln |v − 1| = − ln |x − 1| + ln |x − 2| + C
 
x − 2
= ln  +C
x − 1
x−2
v−1 = C
x−1
Use the initial condition y 0 (0) = −1
0−2
−1 − 1 = C = C · 2 ⇒ C = −1
0−1
Therefore,
x−2 2−x 1
v=C +1= +1=
x−1 x−1 x−1

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MA262 Linear Algebra and Differential Equations Fall 2013, Purdue

Recall v = dy/dx, solve the equation:

dy 1
=
dx x−1
y = ln |x − 1| + C

Use the initial condition y(0) = 0:

0 = ln |0 − 1| + C ⇒ C = 0

However, y = ln |x − 1| can not be a solution, since it is not continuous

on the whole real line. But it is continuous on either (−∞, 1) or (1, ∞).
The initial conditions tell us the interval should contain the point x =
0, so we choose this one as the solution:

y = ln(1 − x)

Remark: Equation (2) is also linear. Try the method for a linear
equation to solve it!

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