Determination of Integrating Factor Using Formula

Consider the differential equation of the form is NOT EXACT as written, then
we can multiply an integrating factor (μ) to both sides of the equation in order to
make the differential equation EXACT.

Integrating factors turn non-exact equations into exact ones. However, two
special cases will be considered.

 Case 1:
�� −��
If �
is a function of x only, let it be denoted by f(x). Then the
integrating factor of the given differential equation will be

� d�
� = e∫�

 Case 2:
�� −��
If �
is a function of y only, let it be denoted by g(y). Then the
integrating factor of the given differential equation will be

� = e−∫� � d�

Example 1:

Solution

This equation is not exact, since

However,

is a function of x only. Therefore, we can solve this by Case 1.

The integrating factor of the differential equation will be

I.F

And when multiplied both sides of the given differential equation by μ = x yields
which is now exact because

We can now perform the method in solving exact differential equation, in which M is
integrated with respect to x,

and N integrated with respect to y:

These calculations will give the general solution of the differential equation.

Example 2:

Solution

This equation is not exact, since

However,

�� − �� � + � ��� � + ��� � − ��� � ��� �

= =
� � + � ��� � ��� �

is a function of y only. Therefore, we can solve this by Case 2.

The integrating factor of the differential equation will be

��� �
−∫
I.F e−∫� � d� = e ��� � = e−�� ��� � = (��� �)−�

Multiplying the differential equation by μ = (sin y) −1 yields

and is now exact because

In solving this exact equation, integrate M with respect to x and integrate N with
respect to y, ignoring the “constant” of integration in each case:

These calculations will give the general solution of the differential equation.

Example 3:

���� + �� d� + ��� �� + �� d� = �

Solution

This equation is not exact, since

� �
�� = ���� + �� d� = ���� + � but �� = ��� �� + �� = ���� + �
�� ��

However,

� � − �� ���� + � − ���� + � �
= � � =
� �� � + �� �

is a function of x only. Therefore, we can solve this by Case 1.

The integrating factor of the differential equation will be

�
I.F e∫�d� = e�� � = �

And when multiplied both sides of the given differential equation by μ = x yields

��� �� + ��� d� + ��� �� + ��� d� = �

which is now exact because

�� = ��� �� + �� = ��
In solving this exact equation, integrate M with respect to x and integrate N with
respect to y:

∫� �� = ∫ ��� �� + ��� �� = �� �� + ��� �

∫� �� = ∫ ��� �� + ��� �� = �� �� + ����

These calculations will give the general solution of the differential equation.

�� �� + ��� � = �

PROBLEMS

(a) (2xy – y2 + y) dx + (3x2 – 4xy + 3x) dy = 0

(b) (x2 + y2 + 1) dx + (x2 − 2xy) dy = 0
(c) 2y(x2 – y + x) dx + (x2 − 2y) dy = 0
(d) (2xy2 − 2y) dx + (3x2y − 4x) dy = 0
(e) (4xy + y2) dx − (2x2 − 2y) dy = 0