Differential Equation ( D.E.

This topic is completely based on derivatives and integration. There are basically two
parts in this topic

1. Formation of a D.E.
2. Solving a D.E.

For the first part we need to differentiate and for the second part we need to integrate.
Obviously you can solve sums in this topic only if you can differentiate and integrate.

1. Formation of a D.E.

In this part we need to form a differential equation from the given relation by eliminating
the arbitrary constants.
The usual convention is “you need to differentiate once if there is one arbitrary constant
and twice if there are two arbitrary constants”
The logic behind this is very simple; when there is only one arbitrary constant we get
two equations by differentiating once, the original relation and the differentiated relation.
From these two equations one arbitrary constant can be removed.
Similarly, in case of relation with two arbitrary constants, we get three equations by
differentiating twice, from which two constants can be eliminated to obtain the required
D.E.
Also, there are word problems, where first we need to form a relation and then form a
differential equation.
However while solving sum, we may need to differentiate twice ( even if there is only
one arbitrary constant ) so as to obtain a D.E. which is present in the options.
In our syllabus we have relations consisting maximum 2 arbitrary constants

2. Solving a D.E.

Solving a differentia equation means obtaining the relation from which that D.E. is
formed. This relation is obtained by integrating the given D.E. However this is possible
only if the D.E. is in the variables separable form. i.e.

f (x) dx + g ( y ) dy = 0

then the solution is obtained by integrating as

f ( x ) dx g ( y ) dy c

Here c is the constant of integration.

Note that if after integrating all the functions are logarithmic, then we take constant of
integration as log c.
The solution obtained is called as general solution as the value of constant of
integration is unknown,

Particular Solution

Here are we are given certain values of x and y using which we can find the value of the
constant of integration. For this we put up the given values in the obtained general
solution, then the particular solution is obtained by substituting the value of the constant
of integration in the general solution.

Equations reducible to variables separable form

Some differential equations, even if not in the variables separable form initially, can be
reduced to that form.

1. By substitution

By making a proper substitution a differential equation can be reduced to

variables separable form. In Board Exam, this substitution is supposed to be given in
the paper. However in CET, it may not be given in the question. In such case you need
to substitute on your own. For this you need to practice such type of sums. These
substitution are usually predictable.
To solve the differential equation
dy
cos ( x y )
dx
We need to put x + y = u.

2. Homogeneous differential equation

A differential equation of first order and first degree is said to be homogeneous if it is of

the form

dy f 1 ( x, y)
dx f 2 ( x, y)

where f1 and f2 are functions of the same degree in x and y.

A homogeneous equation can be reduced to variables separable form by putting

y = u x.
dy du
i.e. u x
dx dx

Thus, the initial equation in the variables x and y is transferred to an equation in the
variables u and x.
 y
After obtaining the solution, we replace back u by and write down the final answer.
x

Equations reducible to homogeneous form

Case – I

The equation

dy a1 x b1 y c1 a1 b1
,
dx a2x b2 y c2 a2 b2

can be reduced to homogeneous form by putting HCF of ( a1 x + b1 y ) and

( a2 x + b2 y ) as u.

For example
To solve D.E.

dy 6x 4y 3
dx 3x 2y 1

We put 3x – y = u

Case – II

Consider the equation of the type

dy a1 x b1 y c1 a1 b1
,
dx a2x b2 y c2 a2 b2

Here we put x = X + h, y = Y + k
Then we differentiate and get such values of h and k for which the equation will become
homogeneous.