Integrating Factors
Integrating Factors
MAT 285
Spring Semester 2012-13
Lecture 13 Notes
Integrating Factors
If a first-order equation of the form
M dx + N dy = 0
is not exact, then it can often be made exact by scaling the equation by a function µ(x, y), known
as an integrating factor. We have previously used this approach for linear equations that are not
separable. Now, we generalize this technique to nonlinear equations.
We need to find µ so that the scaled equation
µM dx + µN dy = 0
is exact. This requires that (µM )y = (µN )x , or, by the Product Rule,
µMy + µy M = µNx + µx N,
y dx + (2xy − e−2y ) dy = 0.
1
In this case, M (x, y) = y and N (x, y) = 2xy − e−2y . Because
My = 1, Nx = 2y,
e2y e2y
y dx + (2xy − e−2y ) dy = 0
y y
should be exact. First, we simplify the equation to obtain
In this modified equation, M (x, y) = e2y and N (x, y) = 2xe2y − 1/y. From
My = 2e2y , Nx = 2e2y ,
where C is an arbitrary constant. It should be noted that by rewriting the original equation in the
form dy/dx = f (x, y), it can be seen that y = 0 is also a solution. 2