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MATH 010 / EMATH 003 DIFFERENTIAL EQUATION

Topic: Separation of Variables
Intended Learning Outcome:
1. Solve for the general and particular solution of differential equations by separation of variables.

𝑑𝑦
6. = 𝑥𝑦 + 𝑦
Given the differential equation: 𝑑𝑥

𝑀(𝑥, 𝑦) 𝑑𝑥 + 𝑁 (𝑥, 𝑦)𝑑𝑦 = 0 → 𝐸𝑞𝑢𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 1

(General form)

where M and N may be functions of both x and y. If the

above equation can be transformed into the form:
Given: 𝑀 (𝑥, 𝑦) 𝑑𝑥 + 𝑁 (𝑥, 𝑦) 𝑑𝑦 = 0
𝑓(𝑥) 𝑑𝑥 + 𝑓(𝑦) 𝑑𝑦 = 0 → 𝐸𝑞𝑢𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 2
Steps:
where f(x) is a function of x alone and f(y) is a function of
y alone. Equation 1 is called variable separable. a. Transform the equation into the form:

𝑓(𝑥) 𝑑𝑥 + 𝑓(𝑦) 𝑑𝑦 = 0
Determine if the following are variable separable or not
𝑑𝑦 𝑥 b. Integrate each side of the equation with respect
1. 𝑑𝑥 = − 𝑦
to its respective variable

∫ 𝑓(𝑥)𝑑𝑥 + ∫ 𝑓(𝑦)𝑑𝑦 = 𝐶

𝑑𝑦
2. 𝑑𝑥
= 𝑥2𝑦
Examples
Solve the given differential equation by
separation of variables.

𝑑𝑟
1. 𝑑𝑡
= 1 + 𝑟2

𝑑𝑦
3. 𝑑𝑥
=𝑦+1

𝑑𝑦
4. 𝑑𝑥
=𝑥+𝑦

𝑑𝑦
5. 𝑑𝑥
= 𝑥𝑦 + 1

TIP QC - Math and Physics Department MATH 010 / EMATH 003 Differential Equation Engr. CConsolacion/RVCalderon/PSacluti
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2.
𝑑𝑦 𝑥
= − ; 𝑦(0) = 1 4. (1 − 𝑥)𝑦 ′ = 𝑦 2
𝑑𝑥 𝑦

sin 𝑥 sin 𝑦 𝑑𝑥+cos 𝑥 cos 𝑦 𝑑𝑦

5. =0
sin 𝑦 cos 𝑥

3. 𝑒 −𝑦 𝑑𝑥 − 𝑥 2 𝑑𝑦 = 0

2
6. 𝑥𝑦 3 𝑑𝑥 + 𝑒 𝑥 𝑑𝑦 = 0

TIP QC - Math and Physics Department MATH 010 / EMATH 003 Differential Equation Engr. CConsolacion/RVCalderon/PSacluti