Math 55 — Differential Equations Quiz #5 Name: Answer Key

February 25, 2015 David Arnold

Instructions. (10 points) This quiz is open notes, open book. This includes any supplementary texts or
online documents. You are not allowed to work in groups or pairs on the quiz. You are not allowed to enlist
the aid of a tutor or friend to help with the quiz. You are not allowed to share your work with your fellow
students. You must answer all of the exercises on your own.

(10pts ) 1. Consider the following problem

(3x2 y + 2xy + y 3 )dx + (x2 + y 2 )dy = 0,
then perform each of the following tasks.
(a) Show that the equation is not exact.
Solution: The equation
(3x2 y + 2xy + y 3 )dx + (x2 + y 2 )dy = 0
has the form
P (x, y)dx + Q(x, y)dy = 0.
In order that the equation be exact, it must satisfy the following requirement.
∂P ∂Q
=
∂y ∂x
Because P (x, y) = 2x2 y + 2xy + y 3 ,
∂P ∂
= (3x2 y + 2xy + y 3 ) = 3x2 + 2x + 3y 2 ,
∂y ∂y

and because Q(x, y) = x2 + y 2 ,

∂Q ∂ 2
= (x + y 2 ) = 2x.
∂x ∂x
Thus,
∂P ∂Q
6= ,
∂y ∂x
so the equation is not exact.
(b) Assuming that that the equation has an integrating factor that is a function of x along (i.e., µ = µ(x)),
find the integrating factor and use it to solve the differential equation.
Solution: We’re told that an integrating factor, strictly in terms of x, exist. Thus, if we multiply
both sides of our equation by µ(x),
µ(x)(3x2 y + 2xy + y 3 )dx + µ(x)(x2 + y 2 )dy = 0
the resulting equation will be exact. Hence, it must be the case that
∂ ∂
µ(x)(3x2 + 2xy + y 3 ) = µ(x)(x2 + y 2 ).
∂y ∂x
Differentiation and a little algebra produces the following result.
µ(x)(3x2 + 2x + 3y 2 ) = µ(x)(2x) + µ0 (x)(x2 + y 2 )
µ(x)(3x2 + 2x + 3y 2 ) − 2xµ(x) = µ0 (x)(x2 + y 2 )
µ(x)(3x2 + 3y 2 ) = µ0 (x)(x2 + y 2 )
3µ(x)(x2 + y 2 ) = µ0 (x)(x2 + y 2 )
3µ(x) = µ0 (x)
Math 55 — Differential Equations/Quiz #5 – Page 2 of 4 – Name: Answer Key

Now, right this in the form

dµ
= 3µ
dx
and use separation of variables to solve.

dµ
= 3 dx
µ
ln µ = 3x
µ = e3x

Thus, the integrating factor is µ(x) = e3x . We’ll now multiply both sides of the equation by this
integrating factor and test to see if the resulting equation is exact.

(3x2 y + 2xy + y 3 )dx + (x2 + y 2 )dy = 0

e3x (3x2 y + 2xy + y 3 )dx + e3x (x2 + y 2 )dy = 0

First,
∂ 3x
e (3x2 y + 2xy + y 3 ) = e3x (3x2 + 2x + 3y 2 ),
∂y

and secondly,

∂ 3x 2
e (x + y 2 ) = e3x (2x) + 3e3x (x2 + y 2 )
∂x
= e3x (3x2 + 2x + 3y 2 ).

They are the same, so the equation is now exact! Hence, there exists a function F (x, y) such that
∂F
= e3x (3x2 y + 2xy + y 3 )
∂x
We will use integration by parts.
D I
+ 3x2 + 2xy + y 3 e3x
1 3x
− 6xy + 2y 3e
1 3x
+ 6y 9e
1 3x
− 0 27 e

Hence,
1 3x 1 2
F (x, y) = e (3x2 y + 2xy + y 3 ) − e3x (6xy + 2y) + e3x y
3  9   9 
3x 2 2 1 3 2 2 2
=e x y + xy + y − xy + y + y
3 3 3 9 9
1
= e3x (x2 y + y 3 )
3
Because we are integrating with respect to x, we need to add an arbitrary constant function strictly
in terms of y.
1
F (x, y) = e3x (x2 y + y 3 ) + φ(y)
3
Secondly, it must be the case that
∂F
= e3x (x2 + y 2 ).
∂y
Math 55 — Differential Equations/Quiz #5 – Page 3 of 4 – Name: Answer Key

Substitute our current expression for F , then begin the simplification.

 
∂ 1 3
e (x y + y ) + φ(y) = e3x (x2 + y 2 )
3x 2
∂y 3
e3x (x2 + y 2 + φ0 (y)) = e3x (x2 + y 2 )

Divide both sides by e3x .

(x2 + y 2 ) + φ0 (y) = x2 + y 2
φ0 (y) = 0

Hence, φ(y) is a constant function. Hence, our solution is

1
F (x, y) = e3x (x2 y + y 3 )
3
Thus, the implicit solution of our equation is

F (x, y) = C,

or equivalently,
1
e3x (x2 y + y 3 ) = C.
3

(c) Use Mathematica to draw a direction field for the problem, then use your answer to create a contour
plot and superimpose it on your direction field. Print the Mathematica notebook and staple it to
the back of your hand calculated solutions.
Solution: Let me first state that the Mathematica notebook associated with this quiz shows how to
check the solution and create the plots. Be sure to download that from the exams page. My final
direction field with superimposed contours follows.
Math 55 — Differential Equations/Quiz #5 – Page 4 of 4 – Name: Answer Key

x
-3 -2 -1 1 2 3

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