Differential Equations

First Order Linear Differential Equations

How do we solve 1st order differential equations? There are two methods which can be used to solve 1st order differential equations. They are

Separation of Variables Integrating Factor

Method 1: Separation of Variables

Do you know when to use this method? The separation of variables method is used when a differential equation can be written in the form only and g is a function of x only. What is an initial value problem (IVP)? An initial value problem is one in which some initial conditions are given to solve a differential equation. How do we solve problems using this method? Rewrite the problem as and integrate both sides. Use the initial condition to find the constant of integration. where f is a function of y

For example:
Solve with initial condition

Step 1: Divide through by y. We get Step 2: Integrate both sides with respect to x. We get

Step 3: Make y the subject of the equation.

where

This is the general solution of the differential equation. Step 4: The initial condition means when . . Substituting these values in the general solution gives A = 1. Hence the

solution to the initial value problem is

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Differential Equations

Test Yourself

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Differential Equations

Method 2: Integrating Factor

When do we use the integrating factor method? The integrating factor method is used when the differential equation is (or can be rearranged) in the form are functions of x only. How do we find the integrating factor? The integrating factor is . where p and q

How do we solve differential equations using this method? Rearrange the differential equation (if needed) into the standard form and find the integrating factor. Multiply through by the integrating factor and rewrite the left hand side as the derivative of y . Integrating both sides gives the general solution.

For example:
Solve with y(0) = 1.
gives and .

Step1: Comparing the equation with the standard form Step2: Find the integrating factor Step3: Multiplying through by the integrating factor, we get Step4: Rewrite as the derivative of i.e. . . gives

Step5: Integrate both sides with respect to x and get Step6: Use the initial condition to find c. Test Yourself ,

. Hence the solution to the problem is

which is

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