Exact Differential Equations

The first differential equation of the form

M(x,y)dx + N(x,y)dy = 0
is exact differential equation if
�� = �� .

Let the solution of the differential equation be

� �, � = �
where
� �, � = � �, � �� + �(�).
The constant integral Φ(y) is found by equating the partial derivative of µ with respect
to y to N(x,y), i.e.
�
�� = � �, � ( � �, � ��) + �' � = �(�, �)
��
�
�' � = � �, � − ( � �, � ��)
��

Thus,
�
� � = � �, � − ( � �, � ��)
��

Therefore, the general solution of the equation is

�
� �, � = � �, � �� + [� �, � − � ( � �, � ��)]�� = �.
� �

Example 1:
Solve: (2� + �0�� + � + 3�2 �� = 0

Solution:
From the given differential equation
� �, � = 2� + � and � �, � = � + 3�2 .
Taking the partial derivative of M and N with respect to y and x, respectively we get
�� = 1 and �� = 1.
Since
�� ≅ �� ,
the given differential equation is exact.
The solution is � �, � = � in which
� �, � = 2� + � �� + ∅(�)
� �, � = �2 + �� + ∅(�).
Taking the partial derivative of the preceding equation with respect to y, we obtain
�� = � + ∅'(�).
Since �� = �(�, �), it follows that
� + ∅' � = � + 3�2
in which
∅' � = 3�2 + �.
Integrating both sides with respect to y, we find
∅ � = �3 + �.
thus,
� �, � = �2 + �� + �3 + �
since � �, � = �, it follows that
�� + �� + �� + � = � or �� + �� + �� = �.

Example 2:
�−2�
Solve: �' = .
2�

Solution:
The given equation can be written as
�� � − 2�
=
�� 2�
or
2� �� = (� − 2� )��
or
� − 2� �� − 2��� = 0
in which
M= x-2y and N= -2x.

Taking the partial derivative of M and N with respect to y and x, respectively we get
�� =− 2 ��� �� =− 2.
Since,
�� ≅ �� ,
the given differential equation is exact.

The solution is � �, � = � in which

� �, � = � − 2� �� + ∅ �
 �2
� �, � = 2
− 2�� + ∅(�).

Taking the partial derivative of the preceding equation with respect to y, we obtain

�� =− 2� + ∅'(�).
Since �� = �(�, �), it follows that
−2� + ∅' � =− 2�
from which
∅' � = 0

integrating both sides with respect to y, we find

∅ � =0
thus,
�2
� �, � = − 2�� + �.
2
Since � �, � = �, it follows that
�2
− 2�� + � = �.
2

simplifying the preceding equation, we get

�� − ��� = �.

Example 3:
2��+3�2 +1
Solve: �' + = 0.
�2 �2

Solution:
The given equation can be written as
�� 2�� + 3�2 + 1
+ =0
�� �2 + �2
or

2�� + 3�2 + 1 �� + �2 + �2 �� = 0

in which

�(�, �) = 2�� + 3�2 + 1 and � �, � = �2 + �2 .

Taking the partial derivative of M and N with respect to y and x, respectively we get
�� = 2� and �� = 2�.
Since,
�� ≅ �� ,
The given differential equation is exact.
The solution is � �, � = � in which
� �, � = 2�� + 3�2 + 1 �� + ∅(�)
� �, � = �2 � + �3 + � + ∅(�)
Taking the partial derivative of the preceding equation with respect to y, we obtain
�� = �2 + ∅'(�).
Since �� = �(�, �), it follows that
�2 + ∅' � = �2 + �2
from which
∅' � = �2 + �.
Integrating both sides with respect to y, we find
�3
∅ � = 3
+ �.
thus,
�3
� �, � = �2 � + �3 + � + 3
+ � = �.
Simplifying the preceding equation yields
��� � + ��� + �� + �� = �.

PRACTICE PROBLEMS:
1 �
(a) � �� − �2 �� = 0

��
(b) 2�� + �2 − 2� = 0
��

(c) 2 � + 1 �� �� + 2 �� − 2� �� = 0

�� 2−3��3�
(d)
��
= �3� −5

(e) ��' = 2�� − ����