DE 213 – Differential Equations

MODULE 04 – EQUATIONS OF ORDER ONE – HOMOGENEOUS DIFFERENTIAL EQUATIONS

B. HOMOGENOUS EQUATIONS
A differential equation is homogenous in and . if and are homogenous
functions of the same degree in and .
To determine the degree of and ,
1. Replace and to and respectively that is
( ) ( )
2. Factor out the expression
[ ( ) ( )]
where: – degree of and

HOMOGENEOUS FUNCTIONS:
- polynomials—or groups of terms—in which all terms are of the same degree
- only polynomial expressions outside of inverse trigonometric, trigonometric, exponential,
logarithmic, or hyperbolic are counted
- only exponents of the variables will be considered (do not include exponent on
constants)
Examples:
i.
In equation (i), we see that each term except is of degree 2, [as degree of is 2,
degree of is 2 and degree of xy is ]
ii. ( )
In equation (ii) each term except is of degree 3, [ is 3, degree of is
3 and degree of is 1 + 2 = 3]
iii.

In equation (iii) each term except is of degree 3, [ is 3, degree of

is 3 and degree of is 1 + 2 = 3] as it can be rewritten as
Remarks: Homogeneous equations do not have constant terms.
iv. (x2 + 3yx) dx – (x3+ x) dy = 0
is not a homogeneous equation as the degree of the function except in each term is
2 3
not the same. [degree of x is 2, that of 3yx is 2, of x is 3, and of x is 1]

There are two terms in the expression, and . Since the

1. total exponent on both terms are the same, then this is
considered as a homogeneous function or expression.
There are three terms in this expression which are , ,
and . For the first and last term, the degree is . For the
2.
second term, there are two variables (both having an exponent
of ); therefore, the total exponent (degree) is .
Considering the first two terms of this expression, it could be
seen that they both have a total exponent (degree) of . For the
3. ( ) last term, disregard the trigonometric function in computing the
total exponent, so the total is still .
There are two terms in this expression. To get the total
exponent for each term, disregard the logarithmic expressions.
4.
Still, the expression is considered homogeneous since both
terms have a degree of .
The degree of the first term is . For the fractional expression,
5. since the numerator is a binomial and the denominator is a

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 DE 213 – Differential Equations
MODULE 04 – EQUATIONS OF ORDER ONE – HOMOGENEOUS DIFFERENTIAL EQUATIONS

monomial, the terms could be separated into and . When

it comes to fractions, the degree of the denominator is
subtracted from the degree of the numerator.
 For , the degree is

 For , the degree is

So, the expression is not homogeneous.
Disregarding the exponential expression on the first term, the
degree of the first term is . For the fractional expression, this
cannot be separated unlike the previous example since the
6. denominator is not a monomial. What could be done is to get
the highest degree of the denominator then subtract it from the
degree of the numerator. The degree of the fractional
expression is . So, the expression is homogeneous.

SOLUTION OF HOMOGENEOUS DIFFERENTIAL EQUATION:

- If ( ) and ( ) are both homogeneous and of the same degree
- The technique is to substitute a certain variable in place of one of the existing one (in the
equation) to convert it into a separable differential equation.
- Any of the substitute expressions could be used below
 and
 and

Example 1:
Solve the differential equation:
( )
Solution:
By transposing to the right side then divide both sides by a certain expression by to
isolate the fractional form of the derivative on one side, the equation can be written as:

It is a homogeneous equation of degree two. To check, replace and to and

respectively,
[( ) ( )( ) ( ) ] ( )
Expand the expressions,
[ ]
Factor out the expression and prove that, indeed, it is of degree 2.
[( ) ]
To solve the differential equation, let and
[ ( ) ( ) ] ( )
Expand the expressions
[ ]
Distribute the differential on the bracketed terms

Combine similar terms

Factor out on all the first three terms

( )

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 DE 213 – Differential Equations
MODULE 04 – EQUATIONS OF ORDER ONE – HOMOGENEOUS DIFFERENTIAL EQUATIONS
This is now a separable differential equation. To apply separation of variables, transpose
( ) to the right side of the equation.
( )
Divide both sides by the expression ( )

( ( ))
( ) ( )
Simplify the expressions on both sides of the equation,

( )
Integrate both sides of the equation

∫ ∫
( )
The denominator on the left side is a perfect square trinomial

∫ ∫
( )
Let ( ) and

∫ ∫
( )
Evaluate the integral on both sides of the equation, then add the arbitrary constant on the right
side of the equation.

Substitute back the expression for ,

Then, substitute the expression of

Simplify the complex fraction, the general solution of the equation is

Example 2:
Solve the equation given by
( )
Solution:

First, check if the differential equation is separable.(Obviously, it’s not.) Then, check for
homogeneity. All terms (disregarding the differentials and ) have a degree of , so the
differential equation is homogeneous.
In choosing which of the substitute expressions ( or ) could be used, look at the
differential and choose the differential term (either or ) with shorter expression attached.
Comparing,

Since is attached to a shorter expression, the substitute expression that should be used (for
easier solution) is , coupled with .
Substituting to the differential equation,
[ ( ) ( ) ] ( )( )
Expand the terms (so they can be regrouped)
( ) ( )

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 DE 213 – Differential Equations
MODULE 04 – EQUATIONS OF ORDER ONE – HOMOGENEOUS DIFFERENTIAL EQUATIONS
Expanding further

Simplify

Transpose the terms with the differential , this will yield a separable differential equation

Factor out on the right side,

( )
Then, apply separation of variables

Integrate both sides (use integration techniques)

∫ ∫ ∫ ∫

Evaluate the integral, then add the constant of integration

(∫ ∫ ) ∫ | | | |

Substitute back the expression for . Knowing , it could be manipulated to get

| | | |
This could be simplified
| | | | | ( )|
Simplifying further, then eliminating the logarithmic expression
| | | |

Using , the general solution could be written as

⁄
| | | |

Example 3:
Determine the general solution of the differential equation presented below.
( )
Solution:
Upon checking, it is obvious that the differential equation is not separable but it is
homogeneous. It could be manipulated to become separable by substituting and
.
( ) ( ) [( ) ]
Expand the terms (so they can be regrouped)
( )( ) [ ]
Expanding further

Simplify

Transpose the terms with the differential , this will yield a separable differential equation

Factor out on the left side,

( )

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 DE 213 – Differential Equations
MODULE 04 – EQUATIONS OF ORDER ONE – HOMOGENEOUS DIFFERENTIAL EQUATIONS
Then, apply separation of variables

Integrate both sides (use integration techniques)

∫ ∫

Evaluating the integral, and adding the constant of integration ,

| | | |

Substitute back the expression for . Knowing , it could be manipulated to get

| | | ( ) | | | | ( ) |

Manipulate the equation further

| | | | | | | |

Manipulating further

| ( )| | |

Use the Euler’s number, , to eliminate the logarithmic expression and let .
| |

Therefore, the general solution of the given differential equation could be written as

| | | ( ) |

Example 4:
Formulate the general solution of the differential equation given by
( ) ( )
Solution:
Upon checking, it is obvious that the differential equation is not separable but it is
homogeneous. It could be manipulated to become separable by substituting and
.
[ ( )] [ ( )] ( )
Expand the terms (so they can be regrouped)
( ) ( )( )
Expanding further

Simplify

Transpose the terms with the differential , this will yield a separable differential equation

Factor out on the left side and – on the right side,

( ) ( )
Then, apply separation of variables

Integrate both sides (use integration techniques)

∫ ∫ ∫ ∫ ∫

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 DE 213 – Differential Equations
MODULE 04 – EQUATIONS OF ORDER ONE – HOMOGENEOUS DIFFERENTIAL EQUATIONS
Evaluating the integrals and adding the constant of integration ,

| | ( ) | |

Substitute back the expression for . Knowing , manipulate this to get . So, the
general solution of the differential equation is

|( ) | *( ) + | |

Example 5:
Obtain the general solution of the differential equation given by
* ( ) +
Solution:
Upon checking, it is obvious that the differential equation is not separable but it is
homogeneous. It could be manipulated to become separable by substituting and
, since the expression attached to is shorter.
( )
, * + ( )- ( )

Expand the terms (so they can be regrouped)

( ) ( )
Expanding further

Simplify

Transpose the terms with the differential , this will yield a separable differential equation

Then, apply separation of variables

Integrate both sides and evaluating,

∫ ∫ | |

Substitute back the expression for . Knowing , it could be manipulated to get . So,
the general solution of the differential equation is
( ) | |

Example 6:
Solve for the general solution of the differential equation given by

( )
Solution:
Upon checking, it is obvious that the differential equation is not separable but it is
homogeneous. We can manipulate the equation by separating the differentials to determine
which expression is shorter which will yield an easier solution.

It could be manipulated to become separable by substituting and ,

since the expression attached to is shorter.
( ) ( )
( ) ( ) ( )

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 DE 213 – Differential Equations
MODULE 04 – EQUATIONS OF ORDER ONE – HOMOGENEOUS DIFFERENTIAL EQUATIONS
Expand the terms (so they can be regrouped)
( )
Expand further,

Then, simplify

Then, apply separation of variables

Integrate both sides. In this case, employ integration by parts (IBP)—∫ ∫ —for
the right side, where and . Therefore, and .

∫ ∫ ∫ ∫

Evaluating the integrals and adding the constant of integration, ,

| |
Substitute back the expression for . Knowing , manipulate this to get . So, the
general solution of the differential equation is
( ⁄ ) ( ⁄ ) ( ⁄ )
| | ( ) | | ( )

Example 7:
Formulate the particular solution at point ( ) ( ) of the differential equation given by
( ) ( )
Solution:
Upon checking, it is obvious that the differential equation is not separable but it is
homogeneous. It could be manipulated to become separable by substituting and
.
[ ( )] [ ( )] ( )
Expand the terms (so they can be regrouped)
( ) ( )( )
Expanding further; then, simplify

Transpose the terms with the differential , this will yield a separable differential equation

Factor out on the left side and – on the right side,

( ) ( )
Then, apply separation of variables

Integrate both sides

∫ ∫
Rewrite the integrand of the left side of the equation

∫ ∫ ∫
Simplifying,

∫ ∫ ∫
( ) ( )

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 DE 213 – Differential Equations
MODULE 04 – EQUATIONS OF ORDER ONE – HOMOGENEOUS DIFFERENTIAL EQUATIONS
Then, simplify further

∫ ∫ ∫
( )
Use u-substitution for the second term where and .

∫ ∫ ∫
Evaluate the integral

| | | |
Substitute back .

| | | |

Then, substitute back the expression for which is

| | | |

So, the general solution of the differential equation is

| | | |

Using the initial conditions ( ) ( ) , the value of the constant could be evaluated.
( )
| | | | | | | |
Manipulating the logarithmic expressions,

| | | | | |
Therefore the particular solution of the differential equation is

| | | |

Example 8:
Considering as the dependent variable, solve for the particular solution, when and
, of the differential equation given by
( )
Solution:
Upon checking, it is obvious that the differential equation is not separable but it is
homogeneous. It could be manipulated to become separable by substituting and
, since the expression attached to the differential is shorter.
( )[ ( )] ( )
Expand the terms (so they can be regrouped)

Simplify

Transpose the terms with the differential , this will yield a separable differential equation

Factor out on the left side,

( )
Then, apply separation of variables

( )
Integrate both sides of the differential equation

∫ ∫
( )

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 DE 213 – Differential Equations
MODULE 04 – EQUATIONS OF ORDER ONE – HOMOGENEOUS DIFFERENTIAL EQUATIONS
Rewrite the integrand of the right hand side using partial fractions
( )
( ) ( )
The value of the unknown constants and are

Replacing the integrand with the equivalent partial fractions,

∫ ∫ ∫ ∫ ∫
( )
Evaluate the integrals on both sides of the equation, then add the constant of integration .
| | | | | |

Substitute back the expression for which is . Then manipulate the equation and simplify

| | | | | | | | | |

Simplify the equation

| | | | | | | |
Combine the logarithmic expressions,
( )
| | | |

Then use the constant to eliminate the logarithmic expression

( ) ( )
| |

Multiply both sides by ,

( )
( )
Using the initial conditions and , the value of the constant could be obtained.
( ) [( ) ( )] ( )
Therefore the particular solution is
( )
NOTE: It’s also fine should you want to stop at
| | | | | |
But you still have to solve for the constant using the initial conditions and
( ) ( )
|( )| | | | |
( ) ( )
So, the particular solution can also be written as
| | | | | |

Example 9:
Obtain the particular solution of the differential equation given that when ,
( √ )
Solution:
Upon checking, it is obvious that the differential equation is not separable but it is
homogeneous. It could be manipulated to become separable by substituting and
, since the expression attached to the differential is shorter.
*( ) √ ( ) + ( )

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 DE 213 – Differential Equations
MODULE 04 – EQUATIONS OF ORDER ONE – HOMOGENEOUS DIFFERENTIAL EQUATIONS
Expand the terms (so they can be regrouped)
* √ +
Factor out the from the radicand
* √ +
Expand
√
Simplify
√
Transpose the terms with the differential , this will yield a separable differential equation
√
Then, apply separation of variables

√
Integrate both sides of the differential equation

∫ ∫
√
Evaluating the integral,
| |
Substituting back the expression for which is , the general solution of the differential
equation is

( ) | |
The value of can be solved using the initial conditions, ,

( ) | |
The particular solution of the differential equation given the initial conditions,

( ) | |

10 | P a g e