Calculus II, Section 9.

5, #18
Linear Equations

Solve the initial-value problem.1

xy ′ + y = x ln (x), y(1) = 0

We want to solve the first-order linear differential equation (FOLDE)

xy ′ + y = x ln (x)

with the initial condition y(1) = 0. The function for which we wish to solve is y and the independent variable
is x. Also, ln (x) imposes the condition x > 0 upon the independent variable.

We want to write the FOLDE in the form

dy
+ P (x) y = Q(x)
dx
xy ′ + y = x ln (x)
1
y ′ + y = ln (x)
x
The integrating factor is
R 1
dx
int. factor = e x

= eln |x|
but since we know x > 0
= eln (x)
=x
Multiplying our FOLDE by this integrating factor, we get Integration by parts:
Z
′
xy + y = x ln (x) x ln (x) dx
So
Let u = ln (x), so dv = x dx.
′ 2
(xy) = x ln (x) Then du = x1 dx and v = x2 .
and we integrate 1
Z 2
x 1
= x2 ln (x) − · dx
Z
′
Z 2 2 x
(xy) dx = x ln (x) dx 1 1
Z
= x2 ln (x) − x dx
1 2 1 2 2
xy = x ln (x) − x2 + C2
1 x2
 
2 4 1 2
= x ln (x) − · + C1
1 1 C2 2 2 2
y = x ln (x) − x +
2 4 x 1 1
= x2 ln (x) − x2 + C2
From y(1) = 0, we know x = 1, then y = 0. Substituting, 2 4

1 1 C2
0= · 1 · ln (1) − · 1 +
2 4 1
1
0 = − + C2
4
1
C2 =
4
Thus, the particular solution to xy ′ + y = x ln (x), y(1) = 0 is
1 1 1
y= x ln (x) − x +
2 4 4x

1 Stewart, Calculus, Early Transcendentals, p. 625, #18.