CHAPTER 2

SOLUTIONS OF FIRST-ORDERED FIRST-DEGREE DIFFERENTIAL

EQUATIONS
2.1. Separation of Variables
2.2. Homogeneous Differential Equations
2.3. Exact Differential Equations
2.4. Non-Exact Differential Equations
2.5. First Order Linear Differential Equations
2.6. Bernoulli Equation
After this chapter, the students will be able to:
1. identify different forms of first-ordered first-degree differential equations;
2. determine and derive the formulas of solution each form of first-ordered first-
degree differential equations; and
3. solve first-ordered first-degree differential equations.

2.1. Separation of Variables

A separable differential equation is a first-order ordinary equation that is
algebraically reducible to a standard differential form in which each of the non-zero
terms contains exactly one variable.

Given DE:

M(x,y) dx + N(x,y)dy = 0 or simply Mdx + Ndy =0 where M and N are both

functions of x & y.

If M is factorable into h(x),d(y) and if N is factorable into g(x), v(y), then Mdx +
Ndy can be transformed into a form f(x)dx + g(y)dy = 0.

To put it simply, combine all the functions of x in one side of equation and all the
functions of y in the other side of equation. Take note that M is the coefficient of dx,
and N is the coefficient of dy.

EXAMPLE 1

𝑑𝑦 4𝑥+𝑥𝑦 2
Find the complete solution of = .
𝑑𝑥 𝑦− 𝑥 2 𝑦

Solution:

𝑑𝑦 4𝑥+𝑥𝑦 2
=
𝑑𝑥 𝑦− 𝑥 2 𝑦
2 )𝑑𝑥 2
(4𝑥 + 𝑥𝑦 − (𝑦 − 𝑥 𝑦)𝑑𝑦 = 0 ➔ Cross-multiplication

where:
M = (4𝑥 + 𝑥𝑦 2 )
N = −(𝑦 − 𝑥 2 𝑦)
1
[x(4 + 𝑦 2 )𝑑𝑥 − 𝑦(1 − 𝑥 2 )𝑑𝑦=0](4+𝑦 2)(1− 𝑥2) ➔ Separate the variables
 𝑥𝑑𝑥 𝑦𝑑𝑦
− =0
1− 𝑥 2 4+𝑦 2
𝑥𝑑𝑥 𝑦𝑑𝑦
∫ 1− 𝑥 2 - ∫ 4+𝑦 2 = 0 ➔ Integrate each term
Let 𝑢 = 1 − 𝑥2 𝑢 = 4 + 𝑦2
𝑑𝑢 = −2𝑥𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑢 = 2𝑦𝑑𝑦 ➔ Use u-substitution
−1 1
𝑛𝑓 = 𝑛𝑓 =
2 2

1 1
- 2 ln (1 − 𝑥 2 ) + 2 ln( 4 + 𝑦 2 ) = 𝑐
1 1
(- 2 ln (1 − 𝑥 2 ) + 2 ln( 4 + 𝑦 2 ) = 𝑐) -2 ➔ Simplify
ln (1 − 𝑥 2 ) + ln ( 4 + 𝑦 2 ) = −2𝑐
ln (1 − 𝑥 2 )(4 + 𝑦 2 ) = −2𝑐 ➔ Logarithm of a Product
2 2
𝑒 ln (1− 𝑥 )(4+𝑦 ) = 𝑒 −2𝑐 ➔ Let each side of equation be
the exponents of e
(1 − 𝑥 2 )(4 + 𝑦 2 ) = 𝑒 −2𝑐
(1 − 𝑥 2 )(4 + 𝑦 2 ) = 𝑒 𝑐 ➔ -2c = constant, c
(1 − 𝑥 2 )(4 + 𝑦 2 ) = 𝑐 ➔ 𝑒 𝑐 = constant, c
(𝟏 − 𝒙𝟐 )(𝟒 + 𝒚𝟐 ) = 𝒄 ➔ General Solution/ANSWER

𝑑𝑦 4𝑥+𝑥𝑦 2
Therefore, the solution of the given DE 𝑑𝑥 = is (𝟏 − 𝒙𝟐 )(𝟒 + 𝒚𝟐 ) = 𝒄 .
𝑦− 𝑥 2 𝑦

EXAMPLE 2

Find the complete solution of xlnylnxdy + dx = 0 where x=e when y=1.

Solution:

In this example, the solution looking for is a particular solution because of the given
boundary conditions.

xlnylnxdy + dx = 0
1
(xlnylnxdy + dx = 0) 𝑥𝑙𝑛𝑥 ➔ Separate the variables
𝑑𝑥
𝑙𝑛𝑦𝑑𝑦 + 𝑥𝑙𝑛𝑥 = 0
𝑑𝑥
∫ 𝑙𝑛𝑦𝑑𝑦 + ∫ 𝑥𝑙𝑛𝑥 = ∫ 0 ➔ Integrate each term
Let u =lny dv=dy Let u=lnx
𝑑𝑦 𝑑𝑥
du=
𝑦
v= y du=
𝑥
➔ Use Integration by Parts & u-substitution

𝑑𝑦
ylny -∫ 𝑦 + ln(𝑙𝑛𝑥) = 𝑐
𝑦
ylny -𝑦 + ln(𝑙𝑛𝑥) = 𝑐 ➔ General Solution
(1)ln(1) - 1 + ln(ln e) = c ➔ Substitute the boundary conditions
0 - 1 + ln (1) = c
-1 = c ➔ The value of the arbitrary constant
ylny – y + ln(lnx) = -1 ➔ Substitute c to the general solution
ylny – y + ln(lnx) = -1 ➔ Particular Solution/ANSWER

Therefore, the solution of the given DE xlnylnxdy + dx = 0 where x=e when y=1 is
ylny – y + ln(lnx) = -1.

1
EXAMPLE 3

Find the complete solution of 𝑥 3 𝑑𝑦 + 𝑥𝑦𝑑𝑥 = 𝑥 2 𝑑𝑦 + 2𝑦𝑑𝑥 where y=e

when x = 2.

Solution:

Since there are boundary conditions given, so the solution is a particular solution.

𝑥 3 𝑑𝑦 + 𝑥𝑦𝑑𝑥 − 𝑥 2 𝑑𝑦 − 2𝑦𝑑𝑥 = 0

(xy − 2y)dx + (𝑥 3 − 𝑥 2 )𝑑𝑦 = 0 ➔ Combine all coefficients of dx and dy

y(x-2) dx + 𝑥 2 (𝑥 − 1)𝑑𝑦 = 0 ➔ Factor out common variables each term

1
[ y(x-2) dx + 𝑥 2 (𝑥 − 1)𝑑𝑦 = 0]𝑦( 𝑥 2)(𝑥−1) ➔ Separate variables

(𝑥−2)𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑦
+ =0
𝑥 2 (𝑥−1) 𝑦

(𝑥−2)𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑦
∫ 𝑥 2 (𝑥−1) + ∫ = ∫ 0 ➔ Integrate each term
𝑦

By rational fractions
(𝑥−2) 𝐴 𝐵 𝐶
= 𝑥 + 𝑥2 + ➔ Let this be Equation 1
𝑥 2 (𝑥−1) 𝑥−1
(𝑥−2) 𝐴 𝐵 𝐶
(𝑥 2(𝑥−1) = 𝑥 + 𝑥 2 + ) (𝑥 2 )( 𝑥 − 1)
𝑥−1
x-2 = Ax(x-1) + B(x-1) + C𝑥 2
x-2 = A𝑥 2 − 𝐴𝑥 + 𝐵𝑥 − 𝐵 + C𝑥 2
Equate coefficients:
𝑥2 ∶ 0 = 𝐴 + 𝐶
𝑥1 ∶ 1 = −𝐴 + 𝐵
𝑥 0 ∶ −2 = −𝐵
B = -2
A=1
C = -1

(𝑥−2)𝑑𝑥 1 2 1
∫ 𝑥 2 (𝑥−1) = ∫ 𝑥 + ∫ 𝑥 2 − ∫ 𝑥−1 ➔ Substitute values of A, B & C to Equation 1
1 2 1 𝑑𝑦
∫(𝑥 + 𝑥 2 + 𝑥−1)dx + ∫ 𝑦
=0
2
ln 𝑥 − 𝑥 − ln(𝑥 − 1) + 𝑙𝑛𝑦 = 𝑐 ➔ General Solution

2
ln 2 − 2 − ln(2 − 1) + 𝑙𝑛𝑒 = 𝑐 ➔ Substitute the boundary conditions
ln2 -1 –ln1 +1 =c
ln2 -1 -0 + 1 = c
c = ln2 ➔ The value of the arbitrary constant
2
ln 𝑥 − 𝑥 − ln(𝑥 − 1) + 𝑙𝑛𝑦 = 𝑙𝑛2 ➔ Substitute c to the general solution
𝑥𝑦 2
ln (𝑥−1) − = ln2 ➔ Apply laws of logarithm to simplify
𝑥
𝒙𝒚 𝟐
𝐥𝐧 (𝒙−𝟏) − = ln2 ➔ Particular Solution/ANSWER
𝒙

2
2.2. Homogeneous Differential Equation
A. Homogeneous Function
a. A function f(x,y) is homogeneous in the nth degree if f(θx,θy) = θn f(x,y).
b. A function consisting of the expression y/x is homogeneous in the zeroth
degree if f(θy/θx) = θ0 f(x,y).
B. Homogeneous Differential Equation
The first ordered DE, Mdx + Ndy = 0, is said to be homogeneous of the nth
degree if M & N are of the same degree.
M(θx, θy) = rn M(x,y)
N(θx, θy) = rn N(x,y)

Solution to a Homogeneous DE
1. Use the substitution y=wx if N is simpler than M.
2. Use the substitution x=wy if M is simpler than N.

To show that the given functions are homogeneous:

1. f(x,y) = x2y – 3y3
f(ɵx, ɵy) = (ɵx)2 (ɵy) – 3(ɵy)3
= ɵ2x2 ɵy – 3ɵ3y3
= ɵ3x2y – 3ɵ3y3
= ɵ3 (x2y – 3y3)

2. f(x,y) = 8x2 + 4xy – 2y2

f(ɵx, ɵy) = 8ɵ2x2 + 4ɵxɵy - 2ɵ2y2
= 8ɵ2x2 + 4ɵ2xy - 2ɵ2y2
= ɵ2 (8x2 + 4xy - 2y2)

EXAMPLE 1

Solve (2x-3y) dx – (2y+3x) dy=0.

Solution:

(2x-3y) dx – (2y+3x) dy = 0

M = 2x-3y 1st degree

N = -(2y+3x) 1st degree

Let x=wy since M is simpler than N.

x=wy
dx= wdy+ydw ➔ Differentiate

(2wy-3y) (wdy+ydw) - (2y+3wy) dy=0 ➔ Substitute x=wy and its differentiation

2w y dy+2wy2 dw-3wy dy-3y2 dw-2y dy-3wy dy=0 ➔ Distribute coefficients
2

2w2y dy-3wy dy-2y dy-3wy dy+2wy2 dw-3y2 dw = 0 ➔ Arrange terms with same
differentials
dy(2w2y-6wy-2y) + dw(2wy2-3y2) =0 ➔ Combine like terms
ydy(2w2-6w-2) + y2dw(2w-3) = 0 ➔ Factor out common variables
1
[ydy(2w -6w-2) + y dw(2w-3) = 0] y2(2w2−6w−2) ➔ Separate the variables
2 2

3
 dy (2w−3)dw
+ 2w2 −6w−2 = 0
y
dy (2w−3)dw
∫ +∫ = ∫0 ➔ Integrate
y 2w2 −6w−2
Let v = 2w 2 − 6w − 2 ➔ Use u- substitution
dv = 4w − 6
dv = 2(2w − 3)
1
nf =
2

1
ln y + ln(2w 2 − 6w − 2) = c
2
1
ln y + ln (2𝑤 2 − 6w − 2)2 = ln c ➔ c = ln c
ln y√2w 2 − 6w − 2 = ln c ➔ Logarithm of a product
2
𝑒 ln y√2w −6w−2 = 𝑒 ln c ➔ Let each side of equation be
the exponents of e
2
y√2w − 6w − 2 = c

But x=wy
x
w=y
2x2 𝑥 x
y√ − 6𝑦 − 2 = c ➔ Substitute w = y
y2
2x2 −6xy−2y2
y√ =c ➔ Simplify
y2

√ 2x 2 − 6xy − 2y 2 = c
(√ 2x 2 − 6xy − 2y 2 = c)2
2x 2 − 6xy − 2y 2 = c2
2x 2 − 6xy − 2y 2 = c ➔ c2 = c
x 2 − 3xy − y 2 = c ➔ Simplify to lowest terms
x 2 − 3xy − y 2 = c ➔ General Solution/ANSWER

EXAMPLE 2

Solve (6x2-7y2) dx – 14xy dy=0

Solution:

(6x2-7y2) dx – 14xy = 0
M= 6x2-7y2
N = – 14xy

Let y=wx since N is simpler than M.

y = wx
dy = wdx + xdw ➔ Differentiate

(6x2 - 7w2x2 ) dx – (14xwx)(wdx + xdw)= 0 ➔ Substitute y=wx and its differentiation

6x2 dx - 7w2x2 dx – 14x2w2 dx + 14x3w dw = 0 ➔ Distribute coefficients
(6x2 - 7w2x2 – 14x2w2) dx + 14x3w dw = 0 ➔ Arrange terms with same differentials
(6x - 21w x ) dx + 14x w dw = 0 ➔ Combine like terms
2 2 2 3

(6 - 21w2) x2 dx + 14x3w dw = 0 ➔ Factor out common variables

1
[(6 - 21w2) x2 dx + 14x3w dw = 0] ((6−21w2)(x3)) ➔ Separate variables

4
 x2 dx 14wdw
- 6−21w2 = 0
x3
dx 14wdw
- 3(2−7w2) = 0 ➔ Simplify
x
dx 1 14wdw
∫ - 3 ∫ (2−7w2) = ∫ 0 ➔ Integrate each term
x
Let u = 2 − 7w 2
du = -14wdw ➔ Use u-substitution
nf = -1

1
ln x + ln(2 − 7w 2 ) = c
3
1
3[ln x + 3 ln(2 − 7w 2 ) = c] ➔ Simplifying further
3ln x + ln(2 − 7w 2 ) = c
ln x 3 + ln(2 − 7w 2 ) = c
ln(x 3 )(2 − 7w 2 ) = c ➔ Logarithm of a Product
ln(x 3 )(2 − 7w 2 ) = ln c ➔ c=ln c
3 2
𝑒 ln(x )(2−7w ) = 𝑒 ln c ➔ Let each side of equation be
the exponents of e

(x 3 )(2 − 7w 2 ) = c

But y=wx
w=y/x

(x 3 )(2 − 7(y/x)2 ) = c ➔ Substitute y/x into w.

3 y2
(x ) (2 − 7 x2 ) = c
2x2 −7y2
(x 3 ) ( )=c
x2

𝐱(𝟐𝐱 𝟐 − 𝟕𝐲 𝟐 ) = 𝐜 ➔ General Solution/ANSWER

EXAMPLE 3

Solve (x2+y2)dx – xydy=0.

Solution:
M = (x2+y2)
N = – xy

Let y = wx since N is simpler than M.

y = wx
dy = wdx +xdw ➔ Differentiate

(x2+w2x2)dx – xwx(wdx+xdw) = 0 ➔ Substitute y=wx and its differentiation

x dx + w2x2dx - w2x2dx – x3wdw = 0
2
➔ Distribute coefficients
x2dx - x3wdw = 0 ➔ Combine like terms
1
[x2dx - x3wdw = 0] 𝑥 3 ➔ Separate variables
𝑑𝑥
- 𝑤𝑑𝑤 = 0
𝑥
𝑑𝑥
∫ - ∫ 𝑤𝑑𝑤 = ∫ 0 ➔ Integrate each term
𝑥
5
 𝑤2
ln 𝑥 − =0
2
𝑦
But w = 𝑥
𝑦2
𝑥2 𝑦
ln 𝑥 − = 𝑐 ➔ Substitute w = 𝑥
2
𝒚𝟐
𝐥𝐧 𝒙 − = 𝒄 ➔ General Solution/ANSWER
𝟐𝒙𝟐

EXAMPLE 4

Solve (2xy +y2)dx – 2x2dy = 0 if y = e when x = e.

Solution:

Since there are boundary conditions given, so the solution is a particular solution.

M= (2xy +y2)
N= – 2x2

Let y = wx since N is simpler than M.

y = wx
dy = wdx +xdw ➔ Differentiate

(2xwx + w2x2)dx – 2x2(wdx + xdw) = 0 ➔ Substitute y=wx and its differentiation

2x2wdx + w2x2 dx – 2x2 wdx - 2x3 dw = 0 ➔ Distribute coefficients
w2x2 dx - 2x3 dw = 0 ➔ Combine like terms
1
[w2x2 dx - 2x3 dw = 0] w2 x3 ➔ Separate variables
dx 2dw
− =0
x w2
dx 2dw
∫ − ∫ = ∫0 ➔ Integrate each term
x w2
1
ln x − 2 (− w) = c
2
ln x + (w) = c
𝑦
But w = 𝑥
2 𝑦
ln x + (y⁄ ) = c ➔ Substitute w = 𝑥
x
2x
ln x + ( y ) = c ➔ General Solution
2e
ln e + e = c ➔ Substitute boundary conditions
1+2=c
3 = c ➔ Value of arbitrary constant, c

2x
ln x + ( y ) = 3 ➔ Substitute value of c to the general solution
y ln x + 2x = 3y ➔ Simplify
𝐲 𝐥𝐧 𝐱 + 𝟐𝐱 − 𝟑𝐲 = 𝟎 ➔ Particular Solution/ANSWER