2.

2 Separable Equations

First, we focus on developing techniques for solving first-order DEs; later we will deal
with second-order DEs. The simplest class of first-order DEs are the separable equations.
They are relatively easy to deal with because solving them only requires integration.

A first-order DE is called separable if it can be written in the form

dy
= g(x)p(y).
dx

(ex.) Determine whether the following DEs are separable.

1. (xy + y)dy − xdx = 0.

dy yex+y
2. = 2 .
dx x +2

ds s+1
3. s2 + = .
dt st

1
 dy
4. − cos(x + y) = 0.
dx

Method for solving separable DEs: To solve the seperable DE

dy
= g(x)p(y),
dx

multiply both sides by dx and divide by p(y) (if p(y) 6= 0) to obtain

h(y)dy = g(x)dx,

1
where h(y) = . Integrate both sides and we get
p(y)
Z Z
h(y)dy = g(x)dx =⇒ H(y) = G(x) + C,

where both constants of integration are merged into one constant C. This produces an
implicit solution to the DE.

Note:

1. There could be additional solutions to the DE that we lose when dividing by p(y);
namely, if c is a value such that p(c) = 0, then y ≡ c is also a solution to the DE.

2. There is a rigorous mathematical justification for the separation of variables pro-

cedure which gives the same end result as the above informal method and it is
explained at the end of Section 2.2 in the textbook.

2
(ex.) Solve the following DEs.

dx
1. = 3xt2 .
dt

dx t
2. = t+2x .
dt xe

3
(ex.) Solve the IVP
1 dy y sin θ
= 2 , y(π) = 1.
θ dθ y +1

4
(ex.) According to Newton’s law of cooling, if an object at temperature T is immersed in a
medium having the constant temperature M , then the rate of change of T is proportional
to the difference of temperature M − T . This gives the DE

dT
= k(M − T ).
dt

1. Solve the DE for T .

2. A thermometer reading 100◦ F is placed in a medium having a constant temperature
of 70◦ F. After 6 min, the thermometer reads 80◦ F. What is the reading after 12 min?

(HW) Textbook 2.2 Exercises: 1-11 odd, 17, 19, 23, 35.