Separation of Variables

A differential equation of first order and first degree may be written in the differential
form
� �, � �� + � �, � �� = �, (1)
where � and � are functions of � and �.
In variable separable, if by algebraic processes � �, � �� + � �, � �� = 0 may be
written in the form
�� � �� + �� � �� = �, (2)
Where �1 and �1 are functions of one variable as indicated, we say that the variables
have been separated.

The steps to solving such DEs are as follows:

��
1. Make the DE look like �� =� � �(�). This may be already done for you (in
which case you can just identify the various parts), or you may have to do
some algebra to get it into the correct form.
2. Separate the variables: Get all the y's on the LHS by multiplying both sides by
1
�(�)
(i.e., dividing by �(�)):
1 ��
�(�) ��
=� �

and get all the x's on the RHS by `multiplying' both sides by dx:
1
� �
�� = � � ��

3. Integrate both sides:

1
�� = � � ��
�(�)

This gives us an implicit solution.

4. Solve for y (if possible). This gives us an explicit solution.

Example 1:

Find an implicit solution of the IVP

��+2�−�−2
�' = , � 4 =2
��−3�+�−3

Solution

Rewriting the LHS in differential form and factoring the RHS, we get

�� �+2 (�−1)
=
�� �−3 (�+1)

Separating the variables leads to:

�+1 �+2
�� = ��
�−1 �−3

To evaluate the integrals

�+1 �+2
�� = ��
�−1 �−3

we need u-substitution on both sides. On the LHS, let � = � − 1and then �� = ��

and � = � + 1. On the RHS, we need another variable name, so let � = � − 3 and
then �� = �� and � = � + 3.

�+2 �+5
�� = �� (������������)
� �

2 5
1 + �� = 1+ �� (���������)
� �

� + 2 ln � = � + 5�� � + �1 (�����������)

� − 1 + 2�� � − 1 = � − 3 + 5�� � − 3 + �1 (��������� ��� ������������)

Further simplification leads to:

� + 2�� � − 1 = � + 5�� � − 3 + �2
� + �� (� − 1)2 = � + �� (� − 3)5 + �2

�� (� − 1)2 − �� � − 3 5
= � − � + �2
(� − 1)2
�� = � − � + �2
(� − 3)5
(� − 1)2
= ��−�+�2 = ��−� ��2 = �3 . ��−�
(� − 3)5
 (� − 1)2
= �. ��−�
(� − 3)5

Applying the initial condition �(4) = 2 and solving for C yields: [However, this is
not applicable since we're only trying to find an implicit solution.]

(2 − 1)2
= �. �4−2
(4 − 3)5

1 = �. �2

�−2 = �

So our implicit solution is

(� − �)�
= �. ��−�
(� − �)�

Example 2:

�' = �� − ��

subject to the initial condition y(0) = 0 (this is the differential equation describing the
velocity of a sky diver).

Solution

Factoring k out of the RHS, we get

��
= � (� − �)
�� �(�)
�(�)
Separate the variables:
1
�� = ���
�−�

Integrate both sides:

1
�� = ���
�−�

−�� � − � = �� + �0

Solve for y:
−�� � − � = �� + �0
 �� � − � =− �� + �1

��� �−� = �−��+�1

� − � = �−��+�1 = �−�� . ��1 = �2 �−��
� − � = �2 �−��
� = � + �2 �−��
Apply the initial condition �(0) = 0 and solve for C:
0 = � + ��−�.0
= � + ��0
=�+�
−�=�

Example 3:
�2
'
� =
�
subject to the initial condition � 0 =− 5.

Solution

This one is essentially already in the correct form:

�� �2 1
= = �2
�� � �(�)
�
�(�)

Separate the variables:

��� = �2 ��

Integrate both sides:

� �� = �2 ��
�2 �3
= + �0
2 3
Solve for y:

�2 �3
= + �0
2 3
3
2�
�2 = +�
3
2�3
� =± +�
3
Note that we get two possible solutions from the ± . If we didn't have an initial
condition, then we would leave the ± in the final answer, or we would stop at the
2�3
implicit solution �2 = 3 + � . In this case, since we have an initial condition, we'll
decide which one we want when we apply the it in the next step:

Applying the initial condition � 0 = − 5, we get

2.0
−5 =± +�
3
=± �

Since we have a negative number on the LHS, we'll use the negative square root for
our solution function.

Solving for �, we get:

−5 =− �
5= �
�� = �

PRACTICE PROBLEMS:
�� �
(a) ��
=−
�

�� ��
(b) =
�+1 ��

(c) cos � cos � �� + sin � sin � �� = 0

(d) �� = �( cos ��� + � sin � ��)

(e) 2�2 − �2 �� = �3 sin � �� �ℎ�� � = 0, � = �.