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HOMOGENEOUS DIFFERENTIAL EQUATIONS

𝒅𝒚
A first order differential equation, = 𝒇(𝒙, 𝒚) is homogeneous equation, if the
𝒅𝒙
right side satisfies the condition: 𝒇(𝒕𝒙, 𝒕𝒚) = 𝒇(𝒙, 𝒚) for all t. This means the right
side is a homogeneous function (with respect to variables x and y) of the zero
order:

𝒇(𝒕𝒙, 𝒕𝒚) = 𝒕𝟎 𝒇(𝒙, 𝒚) = 𝒇(𝒙, 𝒚)

Homogeneous Functions

The function 𝒇(𝒙, 𝒚) is said to be homogenous of degree 𝑟 if there exists a constant

Course Packet 02

𝑟 for every quantity t, with respect to the variables x and y, ∀ 𝑡 > 0.

𝒇( 𝒕𝒙, 𝒕𝒚) = 𝒕𝒓𝒇(𝒙, 𝒚)

Examples: Determine if the following functions are homogeneous:

1. 𝑓(𝑥, 𝑦) = 3𝑥 2 + 4𝑥𝑦 + 5𝑦 2
To check if the functions is
homogeneous, 𝒇(𝒙, 𝒚) = 𝟑𝒙𝟐 + 𝟒𝒙𝒚 + 𝟓𝒚𝟐
Check if 𝒇(𝒕𝒙, 𝒕𝒚) = 𝒕𝒓 𝒇(𝒙, 𝒚) 𝒇(𝒕𝒙, 𝒕𝒚) = 𝟑𝒕𝟐 𝒙𝟐 + 𝟒𝒕𝟐 𝒙𝒚
+ 𝟓𝒕𝟐 𝒚𝟐
𝒇(𝒕𝒙, 𝒕𝒚) = 𝒕𝟐 (𝟑𝒙𝟐 + 𝟒𝒙𝒚 +
𝟓𝒚𝟐 )
𝒇(𝒕𝒙, 𝒕𝒚) = 𝒕𝟐 𝒇(𝒙, 𝒚)
The given function is of degree 2.
Another way of checking if the function is homogeneous
is to check if all the terms have the same degree
In the previous example, 𝒇(𝒙, 𝒚) = 𝟑𝒙𝟐 + 𝟒𝒙𝒚 + 𝟓𝒚𝟐 ; 𝟑𝒙𝟐 is of degree 2; 𝟒𝒙𝒚
is of degree 2 (add the exponents of x and y); lastly, 𝟓𝒚𝟐 is also of degree 2.

𝑦 3 + 𝑦 2 𝑥 + 𝑦𝑥 2
2. 𝑓(𝑥, 𝑦) =
𝑦𝑥 2

𝑓(𝑥, 𝑦) is of degree 0

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Finding the Solution of Homogeneous Differential Equations

A homogeneous DE can be written in the form 𝑦 ′ = 𝑓(𝑥, 𝑦),

or alternatively, in the differential form:
𝑷(𝒙, 𝒚)𝒅𝒙 + 𝑸(𝒙, 𝒚)𝒅𝒚 = 𝟎
where 𝑷(𝒙, 𝒚)and 𝑸(𝒙, 𝒚)are homogeneous functions of the same degree.

To solve the homogeneous DE of the form 𝑦 ′ = 𝑓(𝑥, 𝑦), it should be written first
in the form:
𝑑𝑦 𝑦
= 𝐹( )
𝑑𝑥 𝑥
That is, use another variable to be substituted to the DE; say
𝑦 = 𝑣𝑥 or 𝑥 = 𝑢𝑦
depends on the simplicity of the construction of the two homogenous functions.
Course Packet 02

Substituting the said equation reduces the given homogenous differential equation to
separable differential equations.
Note: Use 𝑦 = 𝑣𝑥 if 𝑄 (𝑥, 𝑦)𝑑𝑦 is simpler than 𝑃(𝑥, 𝑦)𝑑𝑥 otherwise, use 𝑥 = 𝑢𝑦.

Examples:

1. Find the solution of the DE 𝑥𝑦 ′ = 𝑥 + 𝑦.

Solution:
Rewriting the DE: 𝑑𝑦
𝑥 = 𝑥+𝑦
𝑑𝑥
𝑥𝑑𝑦 = (𝑥 + 𝑦)𝑑𝑥
Since 𝑄(𝑥, 𝑦)𝑑𝑦 is simpler, we
let 𝑦 = 𝑣𝑥 and 𝑑𝑦 = 𝑣𝑑𝑥 + 𝑥(𝑣𝑑𝑥 + 𝑥𝑑𝑣) = (𝑥 + 𝑣𝑥)𝑑𝑥
𝑥𝑑𝑣
Simplifying: 𝑣𝑥𝑑𝑥 + 𝑥 2 𝑑𝑣 = 𝑥𝑑𝑥 + 𝑣𝑥𝑑𝑥
𝑥 2 𝑑𝑣 = 𝑥𝑑𝑥
Dividing both sides by 𝑥 2 : 1
𝑑𝑣 = 𝑑𝑥
𝑥

Integrating both sides: 𝑣 = ln 𝑥 + 𝐶

𝑦 𝑣 = ln 𝑥 + 𝐶
Since 𝑦 = 𝑣𝑥 or 𝑣 = :
𝑥 𝑦
= ln 𝑥 + 𝐶
𝑥
𝑦 = 𝑥(ln 𝑥 + 𝐶) or
𝑦 = 𝑥 ln 𝑥 + 𝐶𝑥

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Alternative solution:
𝑥𝑦 ′ = 𝑥 + 𝑦
1
Since the function is of degree 1, multiply both sides by :
𝑥
1 1
( ) (𝑥𝑦 ′ = 𝑥 + 𝑦) ( )
𝑥 𝑥
𝑑𝑦 𝑦
= 1+
𝑑𝑥 𝑥
𝑦
Using 𝑦 = 𝑣𝑥 or 𝑣 = and
𝑥
𝑑𝑣
𝑑𝑦 = 𝑣𝑑𝑥 + 𝑥𝑑𝑣 𝑣+𝑥 = 1+𝑣
𝑑𝑦 𝑑𝑣 𝑑𝑥
=𝑣+𝑥 ∶
𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑥
Subtracting both sides with 𝑣: 𝑑𝑣
𝑥 =1
𝑑𝑥
Separating variables by
Course Packet 02

𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑥
multiplying both sides by : 𝑑𝑣 =
𝑥 𝑥

Integrating both sides: 𝑑𝑥

∫ 𝑑𝑣 = ∫
𝑥
𝑣 = ln 𝑥 + 𝐶
𝑦 𝑦
Since 𝑦 = 𝑣𝑥 or 𝑣 = : = ln 𝑥 + 𝐶
𝑥 𝑥
𝑦 = 𝑥(ln 𝑥 + 𝐶) or
𝑦 = 𝑥 ln 𝑥 + 𝐶𝑥

𝑑𝑦
2. Given 2𝑥𝑦 = 𝑥 2 + 3𝑦 2 , find its particular solution with
𝑑𝑥
the initial condition 𝑦(1) = 2 and determine the value of
𝑦(2)
Solution:
Rewriting the DE: 𝑑𝑦
2𝑥𝑦 = 𝑥 2 + 3𝑦 2
𝑑𝑥
𝑑𝑦 𝑥 2 + 3𝑦 2
=
𝑑𝑥 2𝑥𝑦
The DE is of degree 2; multiply both numerator and
1
denominator of the right side by 2
𝑥
2 2 1
𝑑𝑦 (𝑥 + 3𝑦 ) (𝑥 2 )
=
𝑑𝑥 1
(2𝑥𝑦) ( 2 )
𝑥

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𝑦2
𝑑𝑦 1 + 3( )
𝑥2
= 𝑦
𝑑𝑥 (2) ( )
𝑥
Using: 𝑑𝑦 1 + 3𝑣 2
=
𝑦 𝑑𝑥 2𝑣
𝑦 = 𝑣𝑥 ; 𝑣=
𝑥 𝑑𝑣 1 + 3𝑣 2
𝑑𝑦 𝑑𝑣 𝑣+𝑥 =
𝑑𝑥 2𝑣
=𝑣+𝑥
𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑥
Rewriting: 𝑑𝑣
2𝑣 2 + 2𝑣𝑥 = 1 + 3𝑣 2
𝑑𝑥
𝑑𝑣
2𝑣𝑥 = 1 + 3𝑣 2 − 2𝑣 2
𝑑𝑥
𝑑𝑣
2𝑣𝑥 = 1 + 𝑣2
𝑑𝑥
2𝑣𝑥𝑑𝑣 = (1 + 𝑣 2 )𝑑𝑥
Separating variables: Divide both sides by 𝑥(1 + 𝑣 2 )
Course Packet 02

2𝑣𝑥 (1 + 𝑣 2 )
𝑑𝑣 = 𝑑𝑥
𝑥(1 + 𝑣 2 ) 𝑥(1 + 𝑣 2 )
2𝑣 𝑑𝑥
2 𝑑𝑣 =
(1 + 𝑣 ) 𝑥
Integrating both sides: 2𝑣 𝑑𝑥
∫ 2 𝑑𝑣 = ∫
(1 + 𝑣 ) 𝑥
2
ln|1 + 𝑣 | = ln 𝑥 + 𝐶
2
𝑒 ln|1+𝑣 | = 𝑒 ln 𝑥+𝐶
2
𝑒 ln|1+𝑣 | = 𝑒 ln 𝑥 • 𝑒 𝐶
1 + 𝑣 2 = 𝐶𝑥
𝑦 𝑦 2
Since 𝑣 = : 1 + ( ) = 𝐶𝑥
𝑥 𝑥
𝑦 2
1 + ( ) = 𝐶𝑥
𝑥
𝑥 + 𝑦 2 = 𝐶𝑥 3
2

Solving for the value of

C using the initial 𝑥 2 + 𝑦 2 = 𝐶𝑥 3
condition 𝑦(1) = 2 12 + 22 = 𝐶(13 )
5=𝐶
The particular solution 𝑥 + 𝑦 = 𝐶𝑥 3
2 2

is: 𝑥 2 + 𝑦 2 = 5𝑥 3
𝑦 2 = 5𝑥 3 − 𝑥 2
𝑦 = √𝑥 2 (5𝑥 − 1)
𝑦 = ±𝑥√5𝑥 − 1

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The value of the given

DE at 𝑦(2): 𝑦(2) = ±𝑥√5𝑥 − 1
𝑦(2) = ±2√5(2) − 1
𝑦(2) = ±6

𝑑𝑦 𝑦 3 + 𝑦 2 𝑥 + 𝑦𝑥 2
3. Find the general solution of = .
𝑑𝑥 𝑦𝑥 2
The given DE is homogeneous because each term has the
same degree which is 3.
Solution:
Rewriting the DE: 𝑑𝑦 𝑦 3 + 𝑦 2 𝑥 + 𝑦𝑥 2
=
𝑑𝑥 𝑦𝑥 2
𝑑𝑦 𝑦(𝑦 2 + 𝑦𝑥 + 𝑥 2 )
=
𝑑𝑥 𝑦𝑥 2
Course Packet 02

𝑑𝑦 𝑦 2 + 𝑦𝑥 + 𝑥 2
=
𝑑𝑥 𝑥2
𝑑𝑦
𝑥2 = 𝑦 2 + 𝑦𝑥 + 𝑥 2
𝑑𝑥
Using:
𝑦 𝑑𝑣
𝑦 = 𝑣𝑥 ; 𝑣= 𝑥 2 (𝑣 + 𝑥 )
𝑥 𝑑𝑥
𝑑𝑦 𝑑𝑣 = (𝑣𝑥)2 + (𝑣𝑥)𝑥 + 𝑥 2
=𝑣+𝑥
𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑣
𝑣𝑥 2 + 𝑥 3 = 𝑣 2 𝑥 2 + 𝑣𝑥 2
𝑑𝑥
+ 𝑥2
Subtracting 𝑣𝑥 2 : 𝑑𝑣
𝑥3 = 𝑣 2𝑥 2 + 𝑥 2
𝑑𝑥
𝑑𝑣
𝑥3 = 𝑥 2 (𝑣 2 + 1)
𝑑𝑥
Separating variables by multiplying both sides by
𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑣
: [𝑥 3
𝑥 3 (𝑣 2
+ 1) 𝑥 3 (𝑣 2+ 1) 𝑑𝑥
= 𝑥 2 (𝑣 2 + 1)]
𝑑𝑣 𝑑𝑥
=
(𝑣 2+ 1) 𝑥
Integrating both sides: 𝑑𝑣 𝑑𝑥
∫ 2 =∫
(𝑣 + 1) 𝑥
−1
tan 𝑣 = ln 𝑥 + 𝐶
𝑦 𝑦
Since 𝑣 = : tan−1 ( ) = ln 𝑥 + 𝐶
𝑥 𝑥

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Taking the tangent of 𝑦

tan [tan−1 ( ) = ln 𝑥 + 𝐶]
𝑥
both sides: 𝑦
= tan(ln 𝑥 + 𝐶)
𝑥
𝑦 = 𝑥 tan(ln 𝑥 + 𝐶)

Alternative Solution: Since the DE is of degree 3, multiply both the

1
numerator and denominator by 3 :
𝑥
Rewriting the DE: 3 2 2 1
𝑑𝑦 (𝑦 + 𝑦 𝑥 + 𝑦𝑥 ) (𝑥 3 )
=
𝑑𝑥 1
(𝑦𝑥 2 ) ( 3 )
𝑥
𝑦3 𝑦2 𝑦
𝑑𝑦 𝑥 3 + 𝑥 2 + 𝑥
= 𝑦
𝑑𝑥
Course Packet 02

𝑥
𝑦
Using: 𝑦 = 𝑣𝑥 ; 𝑣 =
𝑥
𝑑𝑣 𝑣 3 + 𝑣 2 + 𝑣
𝑑𝑦 𝑑𝑣 𝑣+𝑥 =
=𝑣+𝑥 𝑑𝑥 𝑣
𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑥
𝑑𝑣 𝑣(𝑣 2 + 𝑣 + 1)
𝑣+𝑥 =
𝑑𝑥 𝑣
Simplifying: 𝑑𝑣
𝑣+𝑥 = 𝑣2 + 𝑣 + 1
𝑑𝑥
𝑑𝑣
𝑥 = 𝑣2 + 1
𝑑𝑥
Separating variables by multiplying both sides by
𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑣 𝑑𝑥
∶ =
𝑥(𝑣 2 + 1) 𝑣2 +1 𝑥

Integrating both sides: 𝑑𝑣 𝑑𝑥

∫ =∫
(𝑣 2
+ 1) 𝑥
−1
tan 𝑣 = ln 𝑥 + 𝐶
𝑦 𝑦
Since 𝑣 = : tan−1 ( ) = ln 𝑥 + 𝐶
𝑥 𝑥
Taking the tangent of both
𝑦
sides: = tan(ln 𝑥 + 𝐶)
𝑥
𝑦 = 𝑥 tan(ln 𝑥 + 𝐶)

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4. What is the general solution for the DE 𝑥𝑦𝑑𝑥 − (𝑥 2 + 3𝑦 2 )𝑑𝑦 =

0?
Solution:
Since 𝑃(𝑥, 𝑦)𝑑𝑥 is simpler, 𝑥𝑦𝑑𝑥 − (𝑥 2 + 3𝑦 2 )𝑑𝑦 = 0
𝑥 (𝑢𝑦)(𝑦)(𝑢𝑑𝑦 + 𝑦𝑑𝑢)
use 𝑥 = 𝑢𝑦; 𝑢 =
𝑦 −[(𝑢𝑦)2 + 3𝑦 2 ]𝑑𝑦 = 0
𝑑𝑥 = 𝑢𝑑𝑦 + 𝑦𝑑𝑢 𝑢2 𝑦 2 𝑑𝑦 + 𝑢𝑦 3 𝑑𝑢 − 𝑢2 𝑦 2 𝑑𝑦
− 3𝑦 2 𝑑𝑦 = 0
𝑢𝑦 3 𝑑𝑢 − 3𝑦 2 𝑑𝑦 = 0
Separating variables by
dividing both sides by 𝑦 3 : 𝑑𝑦
𝑢𝑑𝑢 − 3 =0
𝑦
Integrating: 𝑢2
− 3 ln 𝑦 = ln 𝐶1
2
Course Packet 02

𝑢2 − 6 ln 𝑦 = 2 ln 𝐶1
Let 𝐶 = 2 ln 𝐶1
𝑥 𝑥 2
Since 𝑥 = 𝑢𝑦 or 𝑢 = ( ) = 6 ln 𝑦 + 𝐶
𝑦 𝑦
𝑥2
= 6 ln 𝑦 + 𝐶
𝑦2
𝑥2
𝑦2 =
ln 𝐶𝑦 6

5. Find the particular solution of 𝑟𝑠2 𝑑𝑠 − (𝑟 3 + 𝑠 3 )𝑑𝑟 = 0 with the

condition 𝑠(1) = 0.
Solution:
By inspection, notice that 𝑃(𝑟, 𝑠)𝑑𝑠 is simpler than 𝑄(𝑟, 𝑠)𝑑𝑟; so,
the following substitutions can be used:
𝑠
𝑠 = 𝑣𝑟 𝑣= 𝑑𝑠 = 𝑣𝑑𝑟 + 𝑟𝑑𝑣
𝑟
Rewriting the DE, using
𝑠 = 𝑣𝑟 ∶ 𝑟𝑠2 𝑑𝑠 − (𝑟 3 + 𝑠3 )𝑑𝑟 = 0
𝑟(𝑣𝑟)2 (𝑣𝑑𝑟 + 𝑟𝑑𝑣)
−[𝑟 3 + (𝑣𝑟)3 ]𝑑𝑟 = 0
𝑟 3 𝑣 3 𝑑𝑟 + 𝑟 4 𝑣 2 𝑑𝑣 − 𝑟 3 𝑑𝑟
− 𝑟 3 𝑣 3 𝑑𝑟 = 0
Simplifying:
𝑟 4 𝑣 2 𝑑𝑣 − 𝑟 3 𝑑𝑟 = 0
Separating variables: 𝑑𝑟
𝑣 2 𝑑𝑣 − =0
𝑟

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Integrating: 𝑑𝑟
∫ 𝑣 2 𝑑𝑣 − ∫ = ∫0
𝑟
𝑣3
− ln 𝑟 = 𝐶
3
𝑠 𝑠 3
Since 𝑣 = ( )
𝑟 𝑟 − ln 𝑟 = 𝐶
3
𝑠3
− 3 ln 𝑟 = 3𝐶
𝑟3

Using the condition 𝑠(1) = 0

to find the value of C:
𝑠(1) = 0 means
s = 0 when 𝑟 = 1
03
− 3 ln 1 = 3𝐶
13
Course Packet 02

0 = 3𝐶
𝐶=0
3
Thus, the particular solution 𝑠
− 3 ln 𝑟 = 0
is: 𝑟3

Learning Module: Differential Equations 43