Differential Equations

Chapter 2

st st
Solutions of Some 1 Order, 1
Degree D.E.
Chapter 2
Solutions of Some 1st Order, 1st Degree D.E.

Introduction

In Chapter 1, we introduced the basic concepts and definitions involved in the study of
differential equations. We discussed various types of solutions of an ordinary differential
equation. We also stated the conditions for the existence and uniqueness of the solution of the
first order ordinary differential equation. However, we do not seem to have paid any attention
to the methods of finding these solutions. Accordingly, in this unit we shall confine our
attention to the same.

In general, it may not be feasible to solve even the apparently simple equation
( ) ( ) where f and g are arbitrary functions. This is because no
systematic procedure exists for obtaining its solution for arbitrary forms of f and g. However,
there are certain standard types of first order equations for which methods of solution are
available. In this Chapter we shall discuss a few of them with special reference to their
applications.

Specific Objectives

At the end of the lesson, the students should be able to:

- Discuss separation of variables and its extension to equations with homogeneous

coefficients;
- Solve ordinary differential equations by separation of variables, if applicable;
- Discuss exact equations and its relation to linear equations; and
- Solve Bernoulli differential equations.

Duration

Chapter 2: Solutions of Some 1st Order, 1st Degree = 9 hours

D.E. (8 hours discussion; 1 hour
assessment)
Lesson Proper
General First-Order Differential Equations and Solutions

A first-order differential equation is an equation

( )

in which ƒ(x, y) is a function of two variables defined on a region in the xy-plane. The

equation is of first order because it involves only the first derivative (and not higher-order

derivatives). We point out that the equations

( ) and ( )

are equivalent to Equation ( ) and all three forms will be used interchangeably in

the text.

A solution of ( ) is a differentiable function ( ) defined on an interval I

of x-values (perhaps infinite) such that

( ) ( ( ))

on that interval. That is, when y(x) and its derivative are substituted into

( ), the resulting equation is true for all x over the interval I.

General and Particular Solution

The general solution to a first-order differential equation is a solution that contains all
possible solutions. The general solution always contains an arbitrary constant, but having this
property doesn’t mean a solution is the general solution. That is, a solution may contain an
arbitrary constant without being the general solution. Establishing that a solution is the
general solution may require deeper results from the theory of differential equations and is
best studied in a more advanced course.
As was the case in finding antiderivatives, we often need a particular rather than the
general solution to a first-order differential equation ( ). The particular solution
satisfying the initial condition ( ) ) is the solution ( ) whose value is when
Thus the graph of the particular solution passes through the point in ( ) the xy-
plane.
Example:
Find the particular solution of the differential equation satisfies the given initial condition.

1. ( )

Solution:
First we need to find the general solution.
Integrate both sides to find y.

(∫ )

∫( )

∫ ∫

( )

( )

→ General Solution
To find the particular solution, we need to apply the initial conditions given (y = 4, x = 0) and
solve for C:

→ Apply initial conditions

→ Solve for C
→ Particular Solution

2. ( )

First we need to find the general solution.

Integrate both sides to find y.

(∫ )

∫( )

∫
 Get the reciprocal of 𝑥 to make the
exponent positive.

𝑥
𝑥

→ General Solution

To find the particular solution, we need to apply the initial conditions given (y = 4, x = 1) and
solve for C:

→ Apply initial conditions

→ Solve for C

→ Particular Solution

Separation of Variables

The general equation of the first order and first degree is

Where M and N may be functions of both x and y. Some equations of the type
are so simple that they can be put in the form
( ) ( )
that is the variables can be separated. Then the solution can be written down once. For it is
only a matter of finding a function F whose total differential is the left member of ( )
( ) . Then ,where C is an arbitrary constants, is the desired result.

( ) ( ) (1)
or ( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) (2)
In equation (1), the variables are separated and the solution is obtained by
integrating each term
∫ ( ) ∫ ( )
Where C is an arbitrary constant.
The variables in equation (2) may be separated by writing in the form
( ) ( )
( ) ( )
and integrating each term.
Test

( ) ( ) ( )
( ) ( ) ( )
The variables are separable if the functions M and N are factorable as follows:

Separation of Variables can be used when:

All the y terms (including dy) can be moved to one side of the equation, and all the x terms
(including dx) to the other side.

→ All the y terms (including dy) can be moved to one side of the equation.

→ All the x terms (including dx) to the other side.

Three Steps:

 Step 1 Move all the y terms (including dy) to one side of the equation and all the x terms
(including dx) to the other side.
 Step 2 Integrate one side with respect to y and the other side with respect to x. Don't
forget "+ C" (the constant of integration).
 Step 3 Simplify.

Example:
Solve the following differential equations.
1.

Solution:
This is already in the required form (since the x-terms are together with dx terms, and y-terms
are together with dy terms), so we simply integrate:

∫ ∫

𝑥𝑛
∫ 𝑥 𝑛 𝑑𝑥 𝐶
𝑛
2.

Solution:
Separate the variables by moving all the y terms to one side of the equation and all the x
terms to the other side

Integrate both sides of the equation.

∫ ∫

( )
√ ( )

3. ( )

Solution:
Combine x terms with dx and y with dy.
( )

Or

Integrate.

∫ ∫ ∫ 𝑥𝑛
∫ 𝑥 𝑛 𝑑𝑥 𝐶
𝑛

∫ 𝑑𝑥 𝑙𝑛 𝑥 𝐶
𝑥
 ( )

4. ( ) 𝑥𝑛
∫ 𝑥 𝑛 𝑑𝑥 𝐶
𝑛
Solution:
Combine x terms with dx and y with dy ∫ 𝑑𝑥 𝑙𝑛 𝑥 𝐶
𝑥

( ) Using u-substitution:
∫ 𝑓 𝑔(𝑥) 𝑔′ (𝑥)𝑑𝑥 ∫ 𝑓(𝑢)𝑑𝑢
Integrate. 𝑢 𝑔(𝑥) 𝑑𝑢 𝑔 (𝑥)

∫ ∫ 𝑥𝑑𝑥
∫ 𝑑𝑥
𝑥
𝑢 𝑥
( ) 𝑑𝑢
𝑥
𝑑𝑥
( ) 𝑑𝑢 𝑥𝑑𝑥
𝑥𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑢
( ( ) ) 𝑥𝑑𝑥
∫ 𝑑𝑥 ∫ 𝑑𝑢
𝑥 𝑢
√ 𝑥𝑑𝑥
∫ 𝑑𝑥 ∫ 𝑑𝑢
𝑥 𝑢
𝑥𝑑𝑥
∫ 𝑑𝑥 ( 𝑢) 𝐶
𝑛𝑙𝑛 𝑥 𝑥𝑛 𝑥
𝑥𝑑𝑥
∫ 𝑑𝑥 𝑥 𝐶
𝑥

( 𝑥 ) ( 𝑥 )

𝑥 𝑦 𝑥𝑦
𝑦 ( 𝑥 ) (𝑦( 𝑥 ) )
 Homogenous
 Homogenous Functions

The function f(x,y) is said to be homogeneous of degree n in x and y if and only if,
( ) ( ) ( )

When you add “y” in every variable and you factor it out, you’ll go back to the original equation.

Example:
Determine whether or not the function is homogeneous. If it is homogeneous, state the degree
of the function.
1.

Solution:
( )
( ) ( ) ( )
( )
( ) ( )
The given function is homogenous of degree 2.
2.

Solution:
( )
( ) ( ) ( )
( )
( ) ( )
The given function is not homogenous.
 Homogenous Differential Equation

A differential equation of the form,

( , ) + ( , ) =0
is said to be homogeneous if ( , ) and ( , ) are homogeneous functions of the same
degree. Such an equation can be transformed into an equation in which the variables are
separated by the substitution =𝑣 ( = 𝑣 ), where v is a new variable.

A first order differential equation is Homogenous when it can be written in the form

( )

We can solve it using separation of variables but first we create a new variable 𝑣 .

𝑣 which is also 𝑣
(𝑣 ) 𝑣
𝑣 ( )

Which can be simplified to 𝑣 or 𝑣 𝑣

Using 𝑣 𝑣 𝑣 we can solve the differential equation.

Example:
Solve the following differential equation.

1.

Solution:

Separate terms:

Simplify:
𝑦
𝑣
Reciprocal of first term: ( ) 𝑥

( )

𝑣 𝑣 :𝑣 𝑣 𝑣

Subtract v from both sides: 𝑣

Use separation of variables:

𝑣
𝑣

𝑣 𝑣

Integrate:
𝑣 𝑣

∫𝑣 𝑣 ∫

𝑣
𝑣 √
Substitute 𝑣 :𝑣 √

2. ( )

Solution:
Use substitution method.
Let 𝑣 , then 𝑣 𝑣
Substitute: [ (𝑣 ) ] [ (𝑣 )](𝑣 𝑣)
Expand:
𝑣 𝑣 (𝑣 𝑣)
𝑣 𝑣 𝑣 𝑣
𝑣 𝑣 𝑣
Factor Out:
( 𝑣 ) 𝑣 𝑣
( 𝑣 ) 𝑣 𝑣
Separate Variables:
( 𝑣 ) 𝑣 𝑣
𝑣 𝑣 𝑥 𝑑𝑥 𝑥 ∙ 𝑥 𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑥
( 𝑣 ) 𝑥 𝑥∙𝑥∙𝑥 𝑥

𝑣 𝑣
( 𝑣 )
Integrate:
𝑣𝑑𝑣
𝑣 𝑣 ∫
∫ ∫ ( 𝑣 )
( 𝑣 )
( 𝑣 ) 𝑢 𝑣
𝑑𝑢 𝑣 𝑑𝑣
Substitute 𝑣 : ( 𝑣 ) 𝑑𝑢
∫ 𝑢 𝐶
𝑢
[ ( ) ] 𝑑𝑢
∫ 𝑣 𝐶
𝑢

( )

Exact Differential Equation

A differential equation of type

P(x, y) dx + Q (x, y) dy = 0

is called an exact differential equation if there exists a function of two variables u(x,y) with
continuous partial derivatives such that

du (x, y) = P (x, y) dx + Q (x, y) dy.

The general solution of an exact equation is given by

u(x, y)=C,
where C is an arbitrary constant.

Test for Exactness

Let functions P(x, y) and Q(x, y) have continuous partial derivatives in a certain
domain D. The differential equation P(x, y) dx+ Q(x, y) dy = 0 is an exact equation if and
only if

Steps for Solving Exact Differential Equation

1. First, it is necessary to make sure that the differential equation is exact using the test for
exactness:

Partial derivative of P with respect Partial derivative of Q with respect

to y; x is constant. to x; y is constant.
2. Then, we write the system of two differential equations that define the function u(x, y):

( )

( )

3. Integrate the first equation over the variable x. Instead of the constant C, we write an
unknown function of y:

( ) ∫ ( ) ( )

Note: In Step 3, we can integrate the second equation over the variable y instead of
integrating the first equation over x. After integration we need to find the unknown
function ( ).

4. Differentiating with respect to y, we substitute the ( ) into the second equation:

[∫ ( ) ( )] ( )

From here, we get expression for the derivative of the unknown function ( ):

( ) ( ) (∫ ( ) )

5. By integrating the last expression, we find the ( ) and, hence, the function ( ):

( ) ∫ ( ) ( )

6. The general solution of the exact differential equation is given by

( )
Example:
Solve the following differential equation.
1. ( )

Solution:
Step 1:

( )
 → ( )

→ ( )

The given equation is exact because the partial derivatives are the same.

Step 2:

Step 3:

( ) ∫ ( ) ( )

( ) ∫

𝑢𝑛+1 𝑥 1+1 𝑦
∫ ( ) ∫ 𝑢𝑛 𝑑𝑢 𝑛
𝑥 𝑦+C
(y is constant)
∫ ( )

Step 4:

[∫ ( ) ( )] ( )

[ ( )] 𝜕𝑢
𝑥 𝑦 𝑥 𝑦 𝑥 𝑦 𝑥
′(
𝜕𝑦
) (x is constant)
′( )
′( )

Step 5:

( ) ∫ ( ) ( )

( ) ∫

𝑢𝑛 𝑦 𝑦
∫ 𝑢𝑛 𝑑𝑢 𝑦
𝑛
Step 6:

2. ( ) ( )

Solution:
Step 1:
( )
( )

→ ( )

→ ( )

The given equation is exact because the partial derivatives are the same.

Step 2:

𝑢𝑛
∫ 𝑢𝑛 𝑑𝑢 ∫ 𝑥 𝑑𝑥 𝑦 ∫ 𝑑𝑥 ∫ 𝑑𝑥
Step 3: 𝑛
𝑥
𝑥𝑦 𝑥
( ) ∫ ( ) ( )
𝑥
𝑥𝑦 𝑥
( ) ∫( )

𝑥 𝑥𝑦 𝑥+C
∫( ) ( ) (y is constant)

Step 4:

[∫ ( ) ( )] ( )

[ ( )]

′( ) 𝜕𝑢
𝑥 𝑥𝑦 𝑥 𝑥𝑦
′( ) 𝜕𝑦
′(
𝑥𝑦
) 𝑥
(x is constant)
Step 5:

𝑢𝑛 𝑦 𝑦
 ( ) ∫ ( ) ( )

( ) ∫( )

∫ ∫

Step 6:
=C
Integrating Factors
Integrating factors turn non-exact equations into exact ones.

Two ways to identify the integrating factors

1. Difference of the partial derivatives.
 If the differential equation has xdx AND ydy on it after expanding, use the
difference of partial derivatives.
( ) ∫ ( )
𝝁 𝒆∫ 𝒐𝒓 𝝁 𝒆

( ) 𝒐𝒓 ( )

( )
2. of the Linear Equation form.
( )

 If the differential equation has xdx OR ydy on it after expanding, use the linear
form.

 If there is xdx after expanding, use ; if there is ydy, use

( ) ( ) ( ) ( )

( ) ( )
𝝁 𝒆∫ 𝒐𝒓 𝝁 𝒆∫

Example 1:
Check if the equation is exact or not. If it is exact, solve. If it is not exact, solve for the
integrating factor then solve.
P Q
( ) ( ) 𝟎
Solution:
Check if exact
𝜕𝑃 𝜕𝑄
𝑣 𝑣 𝑁𝑜𝑡 𝐸𝑥𝑎𝑐𝑡
𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑦
 𝑣 𝑣

Find the integrating factor.

( ) ( )
( ) ( ) ← 𝑝 𝑚
Use Method 1

( )

( )
( )

( )
( )

Use the result containing only one variable → ( )

𝜇 ∫ ( )

∫ 𝑑𝑥 𝑙𝑛 𝑥
𝜇 ∫ 𝑥

𝝁 𝒆
Using law of logarithms : (example: )
𝜇

𝝁 ← 𝒊 𝒕𝒆𝒈𝒓𝒂𝒕𝒊 𝒈 𝒂𝒄𝒕𝒐𝒓
Make the original equation to be exact
( ) ( )
𝜇[( ) ( ) ] ← multiply both sides by 𝜇
[( ) ( ) ] ← let 𝜇
( ) ( ) ← distribute x
Follow the steps on solving Exact Equation:
Step 1:
Check if exact
𝜕𝑃 𝜕𝑄
𝐸𝑥𝑎𝑐𝑡
𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑦
Step 2:

Step 3:

( ) ∫ ( ) ( )

( ) ∫( )

𝑢𝑛+1 𝑥 +1 𝑦 𝑥 1+1 𝑦 𝑥 𝑦
∫( ) ( ) ∫ 𝑢𝑛 𝑑𝑢 𝑛
𝑥 𝑦 +C
(y is constant)
Step 4:

[∫ ( ) ( )] ( )
𝜕𝑢
𝑥 𝑥 𝑦 𝑥 ( )(𝑥 𝑦 ) 𝑥 𝑥 𝑦
* ( )+ 𝜕𝑦
(x is constant)
( )
′( )

( )
Step 5:

( ) ∫ ( ) ( )

( ) ∫

Step 6:

Shortcut on Solving Exact Equation:

Integrate ∫ , y is constant.

∫ ∫( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) ( )
Integrate ∫ , x is constant.

∫ ∫( ) ( ) ( )

Copy unique term once.

Example 2:
Check if the equation is exact or not. If it is exact, solve. If it is not exact, solve for the
integrating factor then solve.
P Q
( ) 𝟎

Solution:
Check if exact
𝜕𝑃 𝜕𝑄
8 𝑣 𝑣 𝑁𝑜𝑡 𝐸𝑥𝑎𝑐𝑡
𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑦

𝑣 𝑣

Find the integrating factor.

( )

( 8 ) ← 𝑝 𝑚( 𝑚 )

Use Method 2:
( )

[ ( ) ] ← 𝑣 𝑣

( )

[( 8 ) ] ← 𝑣 𝑚

8
( )

( 8 )
 8

8 ← ( ) ( )

( ) 8

( )

𝜇 ∫ ( )

∫
𝜇

∫ ← ∫ ∫ ∫ 𝑑𝑥 𝑙𝑛 𝑥
𝑥

𝜇
Using law of logarithms
𝐨𝐠 𝑴 𝐨𝐠 𝑴

𝜇
Using law of logarithms : (example: )
𝜇

𝝁 ← 𝒊 𝒕𝒆𝒈𝒓𝒂𝒕𝒊 𝒈 𝒂𝒄𝒕𝒐𝒓
Make the original equation to be exact
( )
( 8 )
𝜇[( 8 ) ] ← multiply both sides by 𝜇
[( 8 ) ] ← let 𝜇
( 8 ) ← distribute
[( 8 ) ] ← simplify if possible, divide by since both have a factor of

( 𝟖 ) 𝟎
Check if exact
( 8 )
𝜕𝑃 𝜕𝑄
𝐸𝑥𝑎𝑐𝑡
𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑦
( )
Shortcut on Solving Exact Equation:
Integrate ∫ , y is constant.
8 8
∫ ∫( 8 ) ( ) ( ) ( )

Integrate ∫ , x is constant.

∫ ∫

Copy unique term once.

𝟎
Activity Sheet
ACTIVITY 2

Name: ______________________Course/Year/Section: ___________ Score:______

Analyze and answer the following problems. Write your complete solution and box your final
answer.

I. Solve the general and particular solution of the given Differential Equation by
SEPARATING them. Write Complete Solution. Box your Final Answer.
′ ( )
1.

II. Solve the given homogenous equation. Write Complete Solution. Box your Final
Answer.
1. ( )

III. Solve the Exact Differential Equation. Write Complete Solution. Box your Final
Answer.
1. ( ) ( )

IV. Check if the equation is exact or not. If it is exact, solve. If it is not exact, solve for the
integrating factor then solve. (Use long method on solving the exact equation.)

1. ( )

2. ( ) ( )
Scoring Rubric

3.