Module 7: Applications of First Order

Ordinary Differential Equations

• Orthogonal Trajectories

MH321 Differential Equations

Objectives
At the end of this meeting, you should be able to

• Apply the different methods in obtaining the DE by eliminating

the arbitrary constants.

• Apply the different techniques in solving first order ODEs.

Recall: Concepts in Analytic Geometry
Identify each of the following curves.
a. 𝑥2 + 𝑦2 = 𝑟2 e. 𝑥 − ℎ 2
= ±4𝑎 𝑦 − 𝑘

b. 𝑦 = 𝑚𝑥 + 𝑏 f. 𝑦 − 𝑦1 = 𝑚 𝑥 − 𝑥1

𝑥2 𝑦2
c. 𝑎2
+ 𝑏2
=1 g. 𝐴𝑥 + 𝐵𝑦 + 𝐶 = 0

𝑥 𝑦 𝑥2 𝑦2
d. + =1 h. − 2 =1
𝑎 𝑏 𝑎2 𝑏
Orthogonal Trajectory
Definition:
An Orthogonal Trajectory (OT) of a given family of curves is a curve that is
perpendicular to every curve of the family.

Given a family of curves 𝐹 𝑥, 𝑦, 𝑐 = 0 which can be represented by a DE

𝑀 𝑥, 𝑦 𝑑𝑥 + 𝑁 𝑥, 𝑦 𝑑𝑦 = 0, the corresponding OT 𝐺 𝑥, 𝑦, 𝑘 = 0 is obtained by
determining the solution to the DE 𝑁 𝑥, 𝑦 𝑑𝑥 − 𝑀 𝑥, 𝑦 𝑑𝑦 = 0
Orthogonal Trajectory
Example 1: Find the orthogonal trajectory to the given family of curves.
Draw the representative members of each of the family.

a. Straight lines with slope and 𝑦-intercept equal.

b. Horizontal hyperbolas with center at the origin and transverse axis
equals the conjugate axis.
Orthogonal Trajectory
Example 1: Find the orthogonal trajectory to the given family of curves.
Draw the representative members of each of the family.
a. Straight lines with slope and 𝑦-intercept equal.
Orthogonal Trajectory
Example 1: Find the orthogonal trajectory to the given family of curves.
Draw the representative members of each of the family.
a. Straight lines with slope and 𝑦-intercept equal.
Orthogonal Trajectory
Example 1: Find the orthogonal trajectory to the given family of curves.
Draw the representative members of each of the family.
b. Horizontal hyperbolas with center at the origin and transverse axis
equals the conjugate axis.
Orthogonal Trajectory
Example 1: Find the orthogonal trajectory to the given family of curves.
Draw the representative members of each of the family.
b. Horizontal hyperbolas with center at the origin and transverse axis
equals the conjugate axis.
Orthogonal Trajectory
Example 2: Find the orthogonal trajectory for the family of parabolas with
vertex at the origin and foci on the 𝑦-axis. Also, find a particular OT at point
1,1 . Draw some of the representative members of each of the family.
Orthogonal Trajectory
Example 2: Find the orthogonal trajectory for the family of parabolas with
vertex at the origin and foci on the 𝑦-axis. Also, find a particular OT at point
1,1 . Draw some of the representative members of each of the family.
Orthogonal Trajectory
Example 3: Find the orthogonal trajectory for each of the given family of
transcendental curves.
𝑦2
a. 𝑦 = 𝑐 1 + cos 𝑥 b. 𝑥 = 𝑐𝑒
Orthogonal Trajectory
Example 3: Find the orthogonal trajectory for each of the given family of
transcendental curves.
𝑦2
b. 𝑥 = 𝑐𝑒