Integrating Factors Found by Formula

Recall from Linear Equation, the form y 0 + P (x)y = Q(x) can be transformed into an
exact equation when we multiply the equation by an integrating factor. The same basic idea
sometimes apply for a non-exact differential equation M (x, y)dx + N (x, y)dy = 0. That is,
it is sometimes possible to find an integrating factor µ(x, y) so that after multiplying, the
left-hand side of
µ(x, y)M (x, y) dx + µ(x, y)N (x, y) dy = 0 (1)
is an exact differential. In an attempt to find µ(x, y), we return to the criterion for exactness.
The equation (1) is exact if and only if
∂   ∂  
µ(x, y)M (x, y) = µ(x, y)N (x, y)
∂y ∂x
By the product rule of differentiation (subscript notation means partial derivatives)

µMy + M µy = µNx + N µx

or
µx N − µy M = (My − Nx ) µ (2)
Although M , N , My and Nx are known functions of x and y, the difficulty here in determining
the unknown µ(x, y) from (2) is that we must solve a partial differential equation. Since we
are not yet prepared for that, we make simplifying assumptions.

Suppose µ is a function of only one variable, e.g., µ depends only on x. In this case
dµ
µx = and µy = 0
dx
so (2) can be written as
dµ My − Nx
= ·µ (3)
dx N

My − Nx
We still at an impasse of the quotient depends on both x and y. However,
N
My − Nx
if all obvious algebraic simplifications are made, the quotient turns out to depend
N
solely on the variable x, then (3) is a first-order ordinary differential equation. We can finally
determine µ because (3) is separable and linear. It follows that
R My −Nx
dx
µ(x) = e N
 In the like manner, it follows from (2) if µ depends only on the variable y, then

dµ My − Nx
=− ·µ (4)
dy M
My − Nx
In this case, if − is a function of y alone, then we can solve (4) for µ to be
M
R My −Nx
− dy
µ(y) = e M

We summarize the results for the differential equation

M (x, y) dx + N (x, y) dy = 0

My − Nx R My −Nx
dx
• If is a function of x alone, the integrating factor is e N .
N
My − Nx R My −Nx
• If − is a function of y alone, the integrating factor is e − M dy .
M
Example 1.
Solve the equation
(x2 + y 2 + 1)dx + x(x − 2y)dy = 0 (1)
Solution:

Let,

M (x, y) = x2 + y 2 + 1
My = 2y

N (x, y) = x(x − 2y)

Nx = 2x − 2y

Using the formula,

My − Nx 2y − (2x − 2y)
=
N x(x − 2y)
My − Nx 4y − 2x
=
N x(x − 2y)
My − Nx 2
=−
N x
My − Nx
= µ(x)
N
Solving for the integrating factor,


− x2 dx
R
e = e−2 ln |x|


− x2 dx
R
−2 |
e = eln |x


− x2 dx
R
e = x−2

Multiply the integrating factor to (1)

x−2 [(x2 + y 2 + 1)dx + x(x − 2y)dy] = 0 · x−2

then, simplifying we have,

(1 + x−2 y 2 + x−2 )dx + x−1 (x − 2y)dy = 0 (2)

Test for exactness of Equation (2),

M (x, y) = 1 + x−2 y 2 + x−2

∂M
= 2x−2 y
∂y
 N (x, y) = x−1 (x − 2y)
∂N
= 2x−2 y
∂x
∂M ∂N ∂F
Since = , therefore (2) is exact. Find the solution F = c, using = M,
∂x ∂y ∂x
Z Z
1 + x−2 y 2 + x−2 ∂x


∂F =

F = −y 2 x−1 − x−1 + x + T (y)

∂F
= −2x−1 y + T 0 (y)
∂y
∂F
Since = N (x, y), then
∂y

−2x−1 y + T 0 (y) = x−1 (x − 2y)

T 0 (y) = 1
T (y) = y

Therefore,

F = −y 2 x−1 − x−1 + x + T (y)

F = −y 2 x−1 − x−1 + x + y

And the set of solutions of (1) is defined by

−y 2 x−1 − x−1 + x + y = c
−y 2 x−1 − x−1 + x + y = c

or

−x2 + y 2 − xy + 1 = cx
Example 2.
Solve the equation
2y(x2 − y + x)dx + (x2 − 2y)dy = 0 (1)
Solution:

Let

M (x, y) = 2y(x2 − y + x)
My = 2x4 − 4y + 2x

N (x, y) = x2 − 2y
Nx = 2x

Using the formula,

My − Nx 2x4 − 4y + 2x − 2x
=
N x2 − 2y
My − Nx 2(x2 − 2y)
=
N x2 − 2y
My − Nx
=2
N
My − Nx
= µ(x)
N
Solving for the integrating factor, R
2dx
e = e2x
Multiply the integrating factor to (1)

e2x [2y(x2 − y + x)dx + (x2 − 2y)dy] = 0 · e2x

Simplifying,
2ye2x (x2 − y + x)dx + e2x (x2 − 2y)dy = 0 (2)
Test for exactness of Equation (2),

M (x, y) = 2ye2x (x2 − y + x)

∂M
= 2e2x (x2 + x − 2y)
∂y

N (x, y) = e2x (x2 − 2y)

∂N
= 2e2x (x2 + x − 2y)
∂x
 ∂M ∂N ∂F
Since = , therefore (2) is exact. Find the solution F = c, using = N,
∂y ∂x ∂y
Z Z
∂F = e2x (x2 − 2y)∂y

F = x2 ye2x − y 2 e2x + T (x)

∂F
= 2x2 ye2x + 2xye2x − 2y 2 e2x + T 0 (x)
∂x
∂F
Since = M (x, y), then
∂x
2x2 ye2x + 2xye2x − 2y 2 e2x + T 0 (x) = 2ye2x (x2 − y + x)
2x2 ye2x + 2xye2x − 2y 2 e2x + T 0 (x) = 2x2 ye2x − 2y 2 e2x + 2xye2x
T 0 (x) = 0
T (x) = c

Therefore,

F = x2 ye2x − y 2 e2x + T (x)

F = x2 ye2x − y 2 e2x + c

And the set of solutions of (1) is defined by

x2 ye2x − y 2 e2x + c = c
x2 ye2x − y 2 e2x = c

or

y(x2 − y) = ce−2x
Example 3.
Solve the equation
y(2x − y + 1)dx + x(3x − 4y + 3)dy = 0 (1)
Solution:

Let

M (x, y) = y(2x − y + 1)
∂M
= 2x − 2y + 1
∂y

N (x, y) = x(3x − 4y + 3)
∂N
= 6x − 4y + 3
∂x
Using the formula,
My − Nx 2x − 2y + 1 − (6x − 4y + 3)
=
M y(2x − y + 1)
My − Nx −2(2x − y + 1)
=
M y(2x − y + 1)
My − Nx 2
=−
M y
My − Nx
= µ(y)
M
Solving for the integrating factor,
− y2 dx
R
e− = e2 ln y
− y2 dx
R
e− = y2

Multiply the integrating factor to (1)

y 2 [y(2x − y + 1)dx + x(3x − 4y + 3)dy] = 0 · y 2

Simplifying,
y 3 (2x − y + 1)dx + xy 2 (3x − 4y + 3)dy = 0]y 2 (2)
Test for exactness of Equation (2),

M (x, y) = y 3 (2x − y + 1)
∂M
= 6xy 2 − 4y 3 + 3y 2
∂y
 N (x, y) = xy 2 (3x − 4y + 3)
∂N
= 6xy 2 − 4y 3 + 3y 2
∂x
∂M ∂N ∂F
Since = , therefore (2) is exact. Find the solution F = c, using = M,
∂y ∂x ∂x
Z Z
∂F = y 3 (2x − y + 1)∂x

F = x2 y 3 − xy 4 + xy 3 + T (y)
∂F
= 3x2 y 2 − 4xy 3 + 3xy 2 + T 0 (y)
∂y
∂F
Since = N (x, y), then
∂y

3x2 y 2 − 4xy 3 + 3xy 2 + T 0 (y) = xy 2 (3x − 4y + 3)

3x2 y 2 − 4xy 3 + 3xy 2 + T 0 (y) = 3x2 y 2 − 4xy 3 + 3xy 2
T 0 (x) = 0
T (x) = c

Therefore,

F = x2 y 3 − xy 4 + xy 3 + T (y)
F = x2 y 3 − xy 4 + xy 3 + c

And the set of solutions of (1) is defined by

x2 y 3 − xy 4 + xy 3 + c = c
x2 y 3 − xy 4 + xy 3 = c

or

xy 3 (x − y + 1) = c
Example 4.
Solve the equation
y(4x + y)dx − 2(x2 − y)dy = 0 (1)
Solution:

Let

M (x, y) = y(4x + y)
∂M
= 4x + 2y
∂y

N (x, y) = 2(x2 − y)
∂N
= −4x
∂x
Using the formula,
My − Nx 4x + 2y − (−4x)
=
M y(4x + y)
My − Nx 2(4x + y)
=
M y(4x + y)
My − Nx 2
=
M y
My − Nx
= µ(y)
M
Solving for the integrating factor,
2
R
e− y
dx
= e−2 ln y
2
R
e− y
dx
= y −2

Multiply the integrating factor to (1)

y −2 [y(4x + y)dx − 2(x2 − y)dy = 0]y −2

Simplifying,
y −1 (4x + y)dx − 2y −2 (x2 − y)dy = 0 (2)
Test for exactness of (2),

M (x, y) = y −1 (4x + y)
∂M 4x
=− 2
∂y y
 N (x, y) = −2y −2 (x2 − y)
∂N 4x
=− 2
∂x y
∂M ∂N ∂F
Since = , therefore (2) is exact. Find the solution F = c, using = M,
∂y ∂x ∂x
Z Z
∂F = y −1 (4x + y)∂x
2x2
F = + x + T (y)
y
∂F 2x
= − 2 + T 0 (y)
∂y y
∂F
Since = N (x, y), then
∂y

2x2
− + T 0 (y) = −2y −2 (x2 − y)
y2
2x2 2x2 2
− 2 + T 0 (y) = − 2 +
y y y
2
T 0 (y) =
y
T (y) = 2 ln |y|
T (y) = ln (y 2 )

Therefore,

2x2
F = + x + T (y)
y
2x2
F = + x + ln (y 2 )
y

And the set of solutions of (1) is defined by

2x2
+ x + ln (y 2 ) = c
y
2x2
+ x + ln (y 2 ) = c
y
or

2x2 + xy + y ln (y 2 ) = cy
Example 5.

Solve the equation

(xy + 1)dx + x(x + 4y − 2)dy = 0 (1)
Solution:

Let

M (x, y) = (xy + 1)
∂M
=x
∂y

N (x, y) = x(x + 4y − 2)
∂N
= 2x + 4y − 2
∂x
Using the formula,
My − Nx x − 2x + 4y − 2
=
N x(x + 4y − 2)
My − Nx −(x + 4y − 2)
=
N x(x + 4y − 2)
My − Nx 1
=−
N x
My − Nx
= µ(x)
N
Solving for the integrating factor,
− x1 dx
R
e = e− ln |x|
− x1 dx
R
e = x−1

Multiply the integrating factor to (1)

x−1 [(xy + 1)dx + x(x + 4y − 2)dy = 0]x−1

Simplifying,
x−1 (xy + 1)dx + (x + 4y − 2)dy = 0 (2)
Test for exactness of (2),

M (x, y) = x−1 (xy + 1)

∂M
=1
∂y
 N (x, y) = (x + 4y − 2)
∂N
=1
∂x
∂M ∂N ∂F
Since = , therefore (2) is exact. Find the solution F = c, using = M,
∂y ∂x ∂x
Z Z  
1
∂F = y+ ∂x
x
F = xy + ln |x| + T (y)
∂F
= x + T 0 (y)
∂y
∂F
Since = N (x, y), then
∂y

x + T 0 (y) = x + 4y − 2
T 0 (y) = 4y − 2
T (y) = 2y 2 − 2y

Therefore,

F = xy + ln |x| + T (y)
F = xy + ln |x| + 2y 2 − 2y

And the set of solutions of (1) is defined by

xy + ln |x| + 2y 2 − 2y = C
Example 6.

Solve the equation

(2y 2 + 3xy − 2y + 6x)dx + x(x + 2y − 1)dy = 0 (1)

Solution:

Let

M (x, y) = 2y 2 + 3xy − 2y + 6x
∂M
= 4y + 3x − 2
∂y

N (x, y) = x(x + 2y − 1)
∂N
= 2x + 2y − 1
∂x
Using the formula,
My − Nx 4y + 3x − 2 − (2x + 2y − 1)
=
N x(x + 2y − 1)
My − Nx x + 2y − 1
=
N x(x + 2y − 1)
My − Nx 1
=
N x
My − Nx
= µ(x)
N
Solving for the integrating factor,
1
R
e x
dx
= eln |x|
1
R
dx
e x =x

Multiply the integrating factor to (1),

x[(2y 2 + 3xy − 2y + 6x)dx + x(x + 2y − 1)dy = 0]x

x(2y 2 + 3xy − 2y + 6x)dx + x2 (x + 2y − 1)dy = 0 (2)

Test for exactness of (2),

M (x, y) = x(2y 2 + 3xy − 2y + 6x)

∂M
= 4xy + 3x2 − 2x
∂y
 N (x, y) = x2 (x + 2y − 1)
∂N
= 3x2 + 4xy − 2x
∂x
∂M ∂N ∂F
Since = , therefore (2) is exact. Find the solution F = c, using = N,
∂y ∂x ∂y
Z Z
∂F = x2 (x + 2y − 1)∂y

F = x3 y + x2 y 2 − x2 y + T (x)
∂F
= 3x2 y + 2xy 2 − 2xy + T 0 (x)
∂x
∂F
Since = M (x, y), then
∂x
3x2 y + 2xy 2 − 2xy + T 0 (x) = x(2y 2 + 3xy − 2y + 6x)
3x2 y + 2xy 2 − 2xy + T 0 (x) = 2xy 2 + 3x2 y − 2xy + 6x2
T 0 (x) = 6x2
T (x) = 2x3

Therefore,

F = x3 y + x2 y 2 − x2 y + T (x)

F = x3 y + x2 y 2 − x2 y + 2x3

And the set of solutions of (1) is defined by

x3 y + x2 y 2 − x2 y + 2x3 = c
x2 (xy + y 2 − y + 2x) = c
Example 7.

Solve the equation

y(y + 2x − 2)dx − 2(x + y)dy = 0 (1)

Solution:
Let

M (x, y) = y(y + 2x − 2)
∂M
= 2y + 2x − 2
∂y

N (x, y) = −2(x + y)
∂N
= −2
∂x
Using the formula,

My − Nx 2y + 2x − 2 − (−2)
=
N −2(x + y)
My − Nx 2(x + y)
=
N −2(x + y)
My − Nx
= −1
N
My − Nx
= µ(x)
N
Solving for the integrating factor,
R
−dx
e = e−x

Multiply the integrating factor to (1)

e−x [y(y + 2x − 2)dx − 2(x + y)dy = 0]e−x

Simplifying,
e−x y(y + 2x − 2)dx − 2e−x (x + y)dy = 0 (2)
Test for exactness of (2),

M (x, y) = ye−x (y + 2x − 2)
∂M
= 2ye−x + 2xe−x − 2e−x
∂y
 N (x, y) = −2e−x (x + y)
∂N
= 2xe−x − 2e−x + 2ye−x
∂x
∂M 0 ∂N 0 ∂F
Since = , therefore (2) is exact. Find the solution F = c, using = M,
∂y ∂x ∂x
Z Z
∂F = ye−x (y + 2x − 2)∂x

F = −y 2 e−x − 2xye−x + T (y)

∂F
= −2ye−x − 2xe−x + T 0 (y)
∂y
∂F
Since = N (x, y), then
∂y

−2ye−x − 2xe−x + T 0 (y) = −2e−x (x + y)

−2ye−x − 2xe−x + T 0 (y) = −2xe−x − 2ye−x
T 0 (y) = 0
T (y) = c

Therefore,

F = −y 2 e−x − 2xye−x + T (y)

F = −y 2 e−x − 2xye−x + c

And the set of solutions of (1) is defined by

−y 2 e−x − 2xye−x + c = c
−y 2 e−x − 2xye−x = c
−ye−x (y + 2x) = c
y(y + 2x) = cex
Example 8.
Solve the equation
y 2 dx + (3xy + y 2 − 1)dy = 0 (1)

Solution:
Let
M (x, y) = y 2
∂M
= 2y
∂y

N (x, y) = 3xy + y 2 − 1
∂N
= 3y
∂x
Using the formula,
My − Nx 2y − 3y
=
M y2
My − Nx 1
=−
M y
My − Nx
= µ(y)
M
Solving for the integrating factor,
− y1 dx
R
e− = eln |y|
− y1 dx
R
e− =y
Multiply the integrating factor to (1)
y[y 2 dx + (3xy + y 2 − 1)dy] = 0 · y
Simplifying,
y 3 dx + y(3xy + y 2 − 1)dy = 0 (2)
Test for exactness of (2),
M (x, y) = y 3
∂M
= 3y 2
∂y

N (x, y) = y(3xy + y 2 − 1)
∂N
= 3y 2
∂x
 ∂M ∂N ∂F
Since = , therefore (2) is exact. Find the solution F = c, using = M,
∂y ∂x ∂x
Z Z
∂F = y 3 ∂x

F = xy 3 + T (y)
∂F
= 3xy 2 + T 0 (y)
∂y
∂F
Since = N (x, y), then
∂y

3xy 2 + T 0 (y) = y(3xy + y 2 − 1)

3xy 2 + T 0 (y) = 3xy 2 + y 3 − y
T 0 (y) = y 3 − y
y4 y2
T (y) = −
4 2
Therefore,

F = xy 3 + T (y)
y4 y2
F = xy 3 + −
4 2
And the set of solutions of (1) is defined by

y4 y2
xy 3 + − =c
4 2
y4 y2
xy 3 + − =c
4 2
y 2 (4xy + y 2 − 2) = 4c
y 2 (4xy + y 2 − 2) = c
Example 9.

Solve the equation

2y(x + y + 2)dx + (y 2 − x2 − 4x − 1)dy = 0 (1)

Solution:
Let

M (x, y) = 2y(x + y + 2)
∂M
= 2x + 4y + 4
∂y

N (x, y) = y 2 − x2 − 4x − 1
∂N
= −2x − 4
∂x
Using the formula,

My − Nx 2x + 4y + 4 − (−2x − 4)
=
M 2y(x + y + 2)
My − Nx 4(x + y + 2)
=
M 2y(x + y + 2)
My − Nx 2
=
M y
My − Nx
= µ(y)
M
Solving for the integrating factor,
2
R
e− y
dx
= e−2 ln |y| = y −2

Multiply the integrating factor to (1)

y −2 [2y(x + y + 2)dx + (y 2 − x2 − 4x − 1)dy] = 0 · y −2

Simplifying,
2y −1 (x + y + 2)dx + y −2 (y 2 − x2 − 4x − 1)dy = (2)
Test for exactness of (2),

M (x, y) = 2y −1 (x + y + 2)
∂M
= −2xy −2 − 4y −2
∂y
 N (x, y) = y −2 (y 2 − x2 − 4x − 1)
∂N
= −2xy −2 − 4y −2
∂x
∂M ∂N ∂F
Since = , therefore (2) is exact. Find the solution F = c, using = M,
∂y ∂x ∂x
Z Z
∂F = 2y −1 (x + y + 2)∂x

F = x2 y −1 + 2x + 4xy −1 + T (y)
∂F
= −x2 y 2 − 4xy −2 + T 0 (y)
∂y
∂F
Since = N (x, y), then
∂y

−x2 y 2 − 4xy −2 + T 0 (y) = y −2 (y 2 − x2 − 4x − 1)

−x2 y 2 − 4xy −2 + T 0 (y) = 1 − x2 y −2 − 4xy −2 − y −2
T 0 (y) = 1 − y −2
1
T (y) = y +
y
Therefore,

F = x2 y −1 + 2x + 4xy −1 + T (y)
1
F = x2 y −1 + 2x + 4xy −1 + y +
y

And the set of solutions of (1) is defined by

1
x2 y −1 + 2x + 4xy −1 + y + =c
y
x2 + 2xy + 4x + y 2 + 1 = c