1.

3 Linear first order differentialequations

dy
+P( x ) y=Q( x )
An equation of the form dx , where P(x) and Q(x) are functions of x only is called a
linear differential equation since y and its derivatives are of the first degree.

dy dy
+ ( cot x ) y=cos x + ( x 2 +1 ) y =e x
eg: dx ; dx

Method of solution

dy
+P( x ) y=Q( x )
i) Rearrange DE into the form dx
Identify P(x) and Q(x)
∫ P( x) dx
ii) Find Integrating Factor (IF). IF=e

iii) Write
y ( IF ) =∫ Q( x).( IF) dx
Integrate the right hand side of equation to give the general solution of the differential
equation. If given boundary conditions, the particular solution may be determined.

dy y
+2=−
Example 1 : Determine the particular solution of dx x
Solution
dy
+P( x ) y=Q( x )
iii) Write
y ( IF ) =∫ Q(x).(IF) dx
i) Rearranging DE into standard form dx
dy y
+2=− y ( x )=∫ −2 ( x ) dx
dx x
dy y yx=∫−2 x dx
+ =−2
dx x
−2 x2
yx= +C
dy 1
+
dx x ()
y=−2
(standard form )
2
yx=−x 2 +C
2
1 −x +C
P( x)= ;Q( x)=−2 y=
x x
Where

ii) Integrating Factor (IF).

∫ P( x) dx
IF=e
1
∫ dx
IF=e x
ln x
IF=e
IF=x
 dy
x =x 2 +3y
Example 2 : Solve the following differential equation dx
Solution
dy
+P( x ) y=Q( x )
vi) Write
y ( IF ) =∫ Q(x).(IF) dx
iv) Rearranging DE into standard form dx
dy
x =x 2 +3y y ( x−3 )=∫ ( x).(x −3 ) dx
dx (divide all terms by x)
dy 3
=x+ y y ( x−3 )=∫ ( x).(x −3 ) dx
dx x
y ( x−3 )=∫ x −2 dx
dy 3
− y=x −1
dx x (standard form ) x
y ( x−3 )= +C
−1
3
P( x)=− ;Q( x )= x y
Where x 3
=−x−1 +C
x
v) Integrating Factor (IF). y=x 3 [−x−1 +C ]
2 3
∫ P( x) dx y=−x +Cx
IF=e
3
∫- x
dx
IF=e
IF=e−3 ln x
−3
IF=e ln x
−3
IF=x
 ( ) + 4 y =2
1 dy
Example 2: Solve x dx given the boundary conditions x=0 when y=4.
Solution:

i) Rearranging DE into standard form Given x=0 ; y=4.

dy
+P( x ) y=Q( x )
dx 1 2(0 )2
4 ( e 2( 0) ) = e
2
+C
2
( 1x ) dydx + 4 y =2 (Multiply all terms by x)
2 1 2(0 )2
4 ( e 2( 0) ) = e +C
2
dy
+ 4 xy=2 x 1
dx (standard form ) 4 (1 ) = (1)+C
2
1
4− =C
Where P( x)=4 x ; Q (x )=2 x 2
7
ii) Integrating Factor (IF). C=
2
Hence the particular solution is:
∫ P( x) dx 1 2 x2 7
y ( e 2 x )= e +
2
IF=e 2 2
∫ 4x dx
IF=e
4 x2
2
IF=e
2
IF=e 2 x

iii) Write
y ( IF ) =∫ Q(x).(IF) dx substitution u
du
=∫ (2x).(e u )
y ( e 2 x )=∫ (2 x).( e ) dx ∫ (x ).(e 2 x2 4x
2
2 x2
) dx
1 u
2∫
2 = e du
u=2 x
du 1
Hence the general solution is: =4 x = eu
dx 2
du 1 2
1 2 x2
y ( e 2 x ) = e +C
2
=dx = e2 x
2 4x 2
Tutorial 1.3

1) Solve the equation

dy 4
a) x = y +2 x 3 2x
dx y= +Cx
Ans: 3

dy 4 1 x
6
b) − y =x5 ;y(1 )= y=
dx x 2 Ans: 2

c) dy C
x =3− y y=3+
dx Ans: x

dy 2 3x
d) +2 y=2 e x e +C
dx 3
y=
Ans: e2 x or
2
y= e x +Ce−2 x
3

dy 5 5 x 5
e) − y=x 5 e x y=x e +Cx
dx x Ans:

dy 4 5
f) − y =6 x−5 y=−3 x 2 + x +Cx 4
dx x Ans: 3

dy x2 C
g) x + y=x 2 y= +
dx Ans: 3 x

dy 2 1 3 13
y ( e 2 x )= e 2 x −
3
h) =x −6x 2 y ;y(0 )=−2
dx 6 6
Hint:apply substitution u
Ans:

dy 1 2
i) =x−2 xy y= +Ce−x
dx Ans: 2
Hint:apply substitution u