§ 9.

3 Variable Separable Differential

Equations

Dr K

Dr K § 9.3 Variable Separable Differential Equations

A differential equation is an equation that contains an
unknown function and one or more of its derivatives.

Dr K § 9.3 Variable Separable Differential Equations

A differential equation is an equation that contains an
unknown function and one or more of its derivatives.
The order of a differential equation is the order of the highest
derivative that occurs in the equation.

Dr K § 9.3 Variable Separable Differential Equations

A differential equation is an equation that contains an
unknown function and one or more of its derivatives.
The order of a differential equation is the order of the highest
derivative that occurs in the equation.
Example
One model for the growth of a population is based on the
assumption that the population grows at a rate proportional to
the size of the population.

Dr K § 9.3 Variable Separable Differential Equations

A differential equation is an equation that contains an
unknown function and one or more of its derivatives.
The order of a differential equation is the order of the highest
derivative that occurs in the equation.
Example
One model for the growth of a population is based on the
assumption that the population grows at a rate proportional to
the size of the population. That is a reasonable assumption for
a population of bacteria or animals under ideal conditions
(unlimited environment, adequate nutrition, absence of
predators, immunity from disease).

Dr K § 9.3 Variable Separable Differential Equations

A differential equation is an equation that contains an
unknown function and one or more of its derivatives.
The order of a differential equation is the order of the highest
derivative that occurs in the equation.
Example
One model for the growth of a population is based on the
assumption that the population grows at a rate proportional to
the size of the population. That is a reasonable assumption for
a population of bacteria or animals under ideal conditions
(unlimited environment, adequate nutrition, absence of
predators, immunity from disease).
Let’s identify and name the variables in this model:

Dr K § 9.3 Variable Separable Differential Equations

A differential equation is an equation that contains an
unknown function and one or more of its derivatives.
The order of a differential equation is the order of the highest
derivative that occurs in the equation.
Example
One model for the growth of a population is based on the
assumption that the population grows at a rate proportional to
the size of the population. That is a reasonable assumption for
a population of bacteria or animals under ideal conditions
(unlimited environment, adequate nutrition, absence of
predators, immunity from disease).
Let’s identify and name the variables in this model:

t = time ( the independent variable)

P = the number of individuals in the population
(the dependent variable)
Dr K § 9.3 Variable Separable Differential Equations
The rate of growth of the population is the derivative dP/dt.

Dr K § 9.3 Variable Separable Differential Equations

The rate of growth of the population is the derivative dP/dt.
So our assumption that the rate of growth of the population is
proportional to the population size is written as the equation
dP
= kP (1)
dt
where k is the proportionality constant.

Dr K § 9.3 Variable Separable Differential Equations

The rate of growth of the population is the derivative dP/dt.
So our assumption that the rate of growth of the population is
proportional to the population size is written as the equation
dP
= kP (1)
dt
where k is the proportionality constant.

Equation 1 above is a first order differential equation

Dr K § 9.3 Variable Separable Differential Equations

Example
We consider the motion of an object with mass m at the end
of a vertical spring (as in Figure below).

Dr K § 9.3 Variable Separable Differential Equations

Example
We consider the motion of an object with mass m at the end
of a vertical spring (as in Figure below).

Hooke’s Law, which says that if the spring is stretched (or

compressed) x units from its natural length,

Dr K § 9.3 Variable Separable Differential Equations

Example
We consider the motion of an object with mass m at the end
of a vertical spring (as in Figure below).

Hooke’s Law, which says that if the spring is stretched (or

compressed) x units from its natural length, then it exerts a
force that is proportional to x:

Dr K § 9.3 Variable Separable Differential Equations

Example
We consider the motion of an object with mass m at the end
of a vertical spring (as in Figure below).

Hooke’s Law, which says that if the spring is stretched (or

compressed) x units from its natural length, then it exerts a
force that is proportional to x:

restoring force = −kx

Dr K § 9.3 Variable Separable Differential Equations

Example
We consider the motion of an object with mass m at the end
of a vertical spring (as in Figure below).

Hooke’s Law, which says that if the spring is stretched (or

compressed) x units from its natural length, then it exerts a
force that is proportional to x:

restoring force = −kx

where k is a positive constant (called the spring constant).

Dr K § 9.3 Variable Separable Differential Equations
Ignoring any external resisting forces (due to air resistance or
friction)

Dr K § 9.3 Variable Separable Differential Equations

Ignoring any external resisting forces (due to air resistance or
friction) then, using Newton’s Second Law we get:

d 2x
m 2 = −kx (2)
dt

Dr K § 9.3 Variable Separable Differential Equations

Ignoring any external resisting forces (due to air resistance or
friction) then, using Newton’s Second Law we get:

d 2x
m 2 = −kx (2)
dt
Equation 2 above is a second order differential equation

Dr K § 9.3 Variable Separable Differential Equations

Consider the differential equation

y ′ = xy (3)

where it is understood that y is an unknown function of x.

Dr K § 9.3 Variable Separable Differential Equations

Consider the differential equation

y ′ = xy (3)

where it is understood that y is an unknown function of x.

A function f is called a solution of a differential equation if

the equation is satisfied when y = f (x) and its derivatives are
substituted into the equation.

Dr K § 9.3 Variable Separable Differential Equations

Consider the differential equation

y ′ = xy (3)

where it is understood that y is an unknown function of x.

A function f is called a solution of a differential equation if

the equation is satisfied when y = f (x) and its derivatives are
substituted into the equation.

Thus f is a solution of Equation 3 if

f ′ (x) = xf (x)

for all values of x in some interval.

Dr K § 9.3 Variable Separable Differential Equations

Consider the differential equation

y ′ = xy (3)

where it is understood that y is an unknown function of x.

A function f is called a solution of a differential equation if

the equation is satisfied when y = f (x) and its derivatives are
substituted into the equation.

Thus f is a solution of Equation 3 if

f ′ (x) = xf (x)

for all values of x in some interval.

When we are asked to solve a differential equation we are

expected to find all possible solutions of the equation.
Dr K § 9.3 Variable Separable Differential Equations
Example
Show that every member of the family of functions

1 + ce t
y=
1 − ce t
is a solution of the differential equation y ′ = 12 (y 2 − 1).

Dr K § 9.3 Variable Separable Differential Equations

Example
Show that every member of the family of functions

1 + ce t
y=
1 − ce t
is a solution of the differential equation y ′ = 12 (y 2 − 1).

SOLUTION We are asked to find y ′ then substitute it into

the differential equation, and show that the left hand side is
the same as the right hand side.

Dr K § 9.3 Variable Separable Differential Equations

Example
Show that every member of the family of functions

1 + ce t
y=
1 − ce t
is a solution of the differential equation y ′ = 12 (y 2 − 1).

SOLUTION We are asked to find y ′ then substitute it into

the differential equation, and show that the left hand side is
the same as the right hand side.
We use the Quotient Rule to differentiate the expression for y :
(1 − ce t )(ce t ) − (1 + ce t )(−ce t )
y′ =
(1 − ce t )2

Dr K § 9.3 Variable Separable Differential Equations

Example
Show that every member of the family of functions

1 + ce t
y=
1 − ce t
is a solution of the differential equation y ′ = 12 (y 2 − 1).

SOLUTION We are asked to find y ′ then substitute it into

the differential equation, and show that the left hand side is
the same as the right hand side.
We use the Quotient Rule to differentiate the expression for y :
(1 − ce t )(ce t ) − (1 + ce t )(−ce t )
y′ =
(1 − ce t )2
ce − c e + ce t + c 2 e 2t
t 2 2t
= =
(1 − ce t )2

Dr K § 9.3 Variable Separable Differential Equations

Example
Show that every member of the family of functions

1 + ce t
y=
1 − ce t
is a solution of the differential equation y ′ = 12 (y 2 − 1).

SOLUTION We are asked to find y ′ then substitute it into

the differential equation, and show that the left hand side is
the same as the right hand side.
We use the Quotient Rule to differentiate the expression for y :
(1 − ce t )(ce t ) − (1 + ce t )(−ce t )
y′ =
(1 − ce t )2
ce − c e + ce t + c 2 e 2t
t 2 2t
2ce t
= =
(1 − ce t )2 (1 − ce t )2

Dr K § 9.3 Variable Separable Differential Equations

The right side of the differential equation becomes

1 2
(y − 1) =
2

Dr K § 9.3 Variable Separable Differential Equations

The right side of the differential equation becomes
" 2 #
1 2 1 1 + ce t
(y − 1) = −1
2 2 1 − ce t

Dr K § 9.3 Variable Separable Differential Equations

The right side of the differential equation becomes
" 2 #
1 2 1 1 + ce t
(y − 1) = −1
2 2 1 − ce t
1 (1 + ce t )2 − (1 − ce t )2
 
=
2 (1 − ce t )2

Dr K § 9.3 Variable Separable Differential Equations

The right side of the differential equation becomes
" 2 #
1 2 1 1 + ce t
(y − 1) = −1
2 2 1 − ce t
1 (1 + ce t )2 − (1 − ce t )2
 
=
2 (1 − ce t )2
1 4ce t
=
2 (1 − ce t )2

Dr K § 9.3 Variable Separable Differential Equations

The right side of the differential equation becomes
" 2 #
1 2 1 1 + ce t
(y − 1) = −1
2 2 1 − ce t
1 (1 + ce t )2 − (1 − ce t )2
 
=
2 (1 − ce t )2
1 4ce t 2ce t
= =
2 (1 − ce t )2 (1 − ce t )2

Therefore, for every value of c, the given function is a solution

of the differential equation.

Dr K § 9.3 Variable Separable Differential Equations

Example
Find a solution of the differential equation y ′ = 12 (y 2 − 1) that
satisfies the initial condition y (0) = 2.

Dr K § 9.3 Variable Separable Differential Equations

Example
Find a solution of the differential equation y ′ = 12 (y 2 − 1) that
satisfies the initial condition y (0) = 2.

SOLUTION Substituting the values t = 0 and y = 2 into

the formula
1 + ce t
y=
1 − ce t
from the previous example

Dr K § 9.3 Variable Separable Differential Equations

Example
Find a solution of the differential equation y ′ = 12 (y 2 − 1) that
satisfies the initial condition y (0) = 2.

SOLUTION Substituting the values t = 0 and y = 2 into

the formula
1 + ce t
y=
1 − ce t
from the previous example , we get
1 + ce 0 1+c
2= 0
=
1 − ce 1−c

Dr K § 9.3 Variable Separable Differential Equations

Example
Find a solution of the differential equation y ′ = 12 (y 2 − 1) that
satisfies the initial condition y (0) = 2.

SOLUTION Substituting the values t = 0 and y = 2 into

the formula
1 + ce t
y=
1 − ce t
from the previous example , we get
1 + ce 0 1+c
2= 0
=
1 − ce 1−c
Solving this equation for c,

Dr K § 9.3 Variable Separable Differential Equations

Example
Find a solution of the differential equation y ′ = 12 (y 2 − 1) that
satisfies the initial condition y (0) = 2.

SOLUTION Substituting the values t = 0 and y = 2 into

the formula
1 + ce t
y=
1 − ce t
from the previous example , we get
1 + ce 0 1+c
2= 0
=
1 − ce 1−c
Solving this equation for c, we get 2 − 2c = 1 + c, which gives
c = 13 .

Dr K § 9.3 Variable Separable Differential Equations

Example
Find a solution of the differential equation y ′ = 12 (y 2 − 1) that
satisfies the initial condition y (0) = 2.

SOLUTION Substituting the values t = 0 and y = 2 into

the formula
1 + ce t
y=
1 − ce t
from the previous example , we get
1 + ce 0 1+c
2= 0
=
1 − ce 1−c
Solving this equation for c, we get 2 − 2c = 1 + c, which gives
c = 13 .
So the solution of the initial-value problem is
1 + 31 e t 3 + et
y= =
1 − 13 e t 3 − et
Dr K § 9.3 Variable Separable Differential Equations
Separable Variable Differential Equations

Dr K § 9.3 Variable Separable Differential Equations

A separable equation is a first-order differential equation in
which the expression for dy /dx can be factored as a function
of x times a function of y .

Dr K § 9.3 Variable Separable Differential Equations

A separable equation is a first-order differential equation in
which the expression for dy /dx can be factored as a function
of x times a function of y . In other words, it can be written in
the form
dy
= g (x)f (y )
dx

Dr K § 9.3 Variable Separable Differential Equations

A separable equation is a first-order differential equation in
which the expression for dy /dx can be factored as a function
of x times a function of y . In other words, it can be written in
the form
dy
= g (x)f (y )
dx
The name separable comes from the fact that the expression
on the right side can be “separated” into a function of x and a
function of y .

Dr K § 9.3 Variable Separable Differential Equations

A separable equation is a first-order differential equation in
which the expression for dy /dx can be factored as a function
of x times a function of y . In other words, it can be written in
the form
dy
= g (x)f (y )
dx
The name separable comes from the fact that the expression
on the right side can be “separated” into a function of x and a
function of y . Equivalently, if f (y ) ̸= 0, we could write

dy g (x)
= (4)
dx h(y )

where h(y ) = 1/f (y ).

Dr K § 9.3 Variable Separable Differential Equations

To solve this equation we rewrite it in the differential form

h(y )dy = g (x)dx

Dr K § 9.3 Variable Separable Differential Equations

To solve this equation we rewrite it in the differential form

h(y )dy = g (x)dx

so that all y ’s are on one side of the equation and all x’s are on
the other side.

Dr K § 9.3 Variable Separable Differential Equations

To solve this equation we rewrite it in the differential form

h(y )dy = g (x)dx

so that all y ’s are on one side of the equation and all x’s are on
the other side. Then we integrate both sides of the equation:
Z Z
h(y )dy = g (x)dx (5)

Dr K § 9.3 Variable Separable Differential Equations

To solve this equation we rewrite it in the differential form

h(y )dy = g (x)dx

so that all y ’s are on one side of the equation and all x’s are on
the other side. Then we integrate both sides of the equation:
Z Z
h(y )dy = g (x)dx (5)

Equation 5 above defines y implicitly as a function of x. In

some cases we may be able to solve for y in terms of x.

Dr K § 9.3 Variable Separable Differential Equations

We use the Chain Rule to justify this procedure: If h and g
satisfy equation 5, then
Z  Z 
d d
h(y )dy = g (x)dx
dx dx

Dr K § 9.3 Variable Separable Differential Equations

We use the Chain Rule to justify this procedure: If h and g
satisfy equation 5, then
Z  Z 
d d
h(y )dy = g (x)dx
dx dx
Z 
d dy
so h(y )dy = g (x)
dy dx

Dr K § 9.3 Variable Separable Differential Equations

We use the Chain Rule to justify this procedure: If h and g
satisfy equation 5, then
Z  Z 
d d
h(y )dy = g (x)dx
dx dx
Z 
d dy
so h(y )dy = g (x)
dy dx
dy
and h(y ) = g (x)
dx
Thus Equation 4 is satisfied.

Dr K § 9.3 Variable Separable Differential Equations

Example
2
1 Solve the differential equation dy
dx
= yx 2 .
2 Find the solution of this equation that satisfies the initial
condition y (0) = 2.

Dr K § 9.3 Variable Separable Differential Equations

Example
2
1 Solve the differential equation dy
dx
= yx 2 .
2 Find the solution of this equation that satisfies the initial
condition y (0) = 2.

SOLUTION
1 We write the equation in terms of differentials and
integrate both sides:
y 2 dy = x 2 dx

Dr K § 9.3 Variable Separable Differential Equations

Example
2
1 Solve the differential equation dy
dx
= yx 2 .
2 Find the solution of this equation that satisfies the initial
condition y (0) = 2.

SOLUTION
1 We write the equation in terms of differentials and
integrate both sides:
y 2 dy = x 2 dx
Z Z
2
y dy = x 2 dx

Dr K § 9.3 Variable Separable Differential Equations

Example
2
1 Solve the differential equation dy
dx
= yx 2 .
2 Find the solution of this equation that satisfies the initial
condition y (0) = 2.

SOLUTION
1 We write the equation in terms of differentials and
integrate both sides:
y 2 dy = x 2 dx
Z Z
2
y dy = x 2 dx
1 3 1 3
y = x +C
3 3
where C is an arbitrary constant.

Dr K § 9.3 Variable Separable Differential Equations

Example
2
1 Solve the differential equation dy
dx
= yx 2 .
2 Find the solution of this equation that satisfies the initial
condition y (0) = 2.

SOLUTION
1 We write the equation in terms of differentials and
integrate both sides:
y 2 dy = x 2 dx
Z Z
2
y dy = x 2 dx
1 3 1 3
y = x +C
3 3
where C is an arbitrary constant. (We could have used a
constant C1 on the left side and another constant C2 on the
right side. But then we could combine these constants by
writing C = C2 − C1 ).
Dr K § 9.3 Variable Separable Differential Equations
Solving for y , we get
√
3
y= x 3 + 3C

Dr K § 9.3 Variable Separable Differential Equations

Solving for y , we get
√
3
y= x 3 + 3C

We could leave the solution like this or we could write it in the

form √3
y = x3 + K
where K = 3C . (Since C is an arbitrary constant, so is K.)

Dr K § 9.3 Variable Separable Differential Equations

Solving for y , we get
√
3
y= x 3 + 3C

We could leave the solution like this or we could write it in the

form √3
y = x3 + K
where K = 3C . (Since C is an arbitrary constant, so is K.)
2. If we put x = 0 in the general solution in part 1 above,

Dr K § 9.3 Variable Separable Differential Equations

Solving for y , we get
√
3
y= x 3 + 3C

We could leave the solution like this or we could write it in the

form √3
y = x3 + K
where K = 3C . (Since C is an arbitrary constant, so is K.)
2. If we put x = 0√in the general solution in part 1 above,
we get y (0) = 3 K .

Dr K § 9.3 Variable Separable Differential Equations

Solving for y , we get
√
3
y= x 3 + 3C

We could leave the solution like this or we could write it in the

form √3
y = x3 + K
where K = 3C . (Since C is an arbitrary constant, so is K.)
2. If we put x = 0√in the general solution in part 1 above,
we get y (0) = 3 K . To satisfy the initial condition
y (0) = 2,

Dr K § 9.3 Variable Separable Differential Equations

Solving for y , we get
√
3
y= x 3 + 3C

We could leave the solution like this or we could write it in the

form √3
y = x3 + K
where K = 3C . (Since C is an arbitrary constant, so is K.)
2. If we put x = 0√in the general solution in part 1 above,
we get y (0) = 3 K . To satisfy
√ the initial condition
3
y (0) = 2, we must have K and so K = 8.

Dr K § 9.3 Variable Separable Differential Equations

Solving for y , we get
√
3
y= x 3 + 3C

We could leave the solution like this or we could write it in the

form √3
y = x3 + K
where K = 3C . (Since C is an arbitrary constant, so is K.)
2. If we put x = 0√in the general solution in part 1 above,
we get y (0) = 3 K . To satisfy
√ the initial condition
3
y (0) = 2, we must have K and so K = 8.
Thus the solution of the initial-value problem is
√
3
y = x3 + 8

Dr K § 9.3 Variable Separable Differential Equations

Example
dy 6x 2
Solve the differential equation = .
dx 2y + cos y

Dr K § 9.3 Variable Separable Differential Equations

Example
dy 6x 2
Solve the differential equation = .
dx 2y + cos y

SOLUTION Writing the equation in differential form and

integrating both sides, we have

(2y + cos y )dy = 6x 2 dx

Dr K § 9.3 Variable Separable Differential Equations

Example
dy 6x 2
Solve the differential equation = .
dx 2y + cos y

SOLUTION Writing the equation in differential form and

integrating both sides, we have

(2y + cos y )dy = 6x 2 dx

Z Z
(2y + cos y )dy = 6x 2 dx

Dr K § 9.3 Variable Separable Differential Equations

Example
dy 6x 2
Solve the differential equation = .
dx 2y + cos y

SOLUTION Writing the equation in differential form and

integrating both sides, we have

(2y + cos y )dy = 6x 2 dx

Z Z
(2y + cos y )dy = 6x 2 dx

y 2 + sin y = 2x 3 + C (6)
where C is a constant.

Dr K § 9.3 Variable Separable Differential Equations

Example
dy 6x 2
Solve the differential equation = .
dx 2y + cos y

SOLUTION Writing the equation in differential form and

integrating both sides, we have

(2y + cos y )dy = 6x 2 dx

Z Z
(2y + cos y )dy = 6x 2 dx

y 2 + sin y = 2x 3 + C (6)
where C is a constant. Equation 6 gives the general solution
implicitly. In this case it’s impossible to solve the equation to
express y explicitly as a function of x.

Dr K § 9.3 Variable Separable Differential Equations

Example
Solve the equation y ′ = x 2 y

Dr K § 9.3 Variable Separable Differential Equations

Example
Solve the equation y ′ = x 2 y

SOLUTION First we rewrite the equation using Leibniz

notation:
dy
= x 2y
dx

Dr K § 9.3 Variable Separable Differential Equations

Example
Solve the equation y ′ = x 2 y

SOLUTION First we rewrite the equation using Leibniz

notation:
dy
= x 2y
dx
If y ̸= 0, we can rewrite it in differential notation and
integrate:
dy
= x 2 dx y ̸= 0
y

Dr K § 9.3 Variable Separable Differential Equations

Example
Solve the equation y ′ = x 2 y

SOLUTION First we rewrite the equation using Leibniz

notation:
dy
= x 2y
dx
If y ̸= 0, we can rewrite it in differential notation and
integrate:
dy
= x 2 dx y ̸= 0
y
Z Z
dy
= x 2 dx
y

Dr K § 9.3 Variable Separable Differential Equations

Example
Solve the equation y ′ = x 2 y

SOLUTION First we rewrite the equation using Leibniz

notation:
dy
= x 2y
dx
If y ̸= 0, we can rewrite it in differential notation and
integrate:
dy
= x 2 dx y ̸= 0
y
Z Z
dy
= x 2 dx
y
x3
ln |y | = +C
3

Dr K § 9.3 Variable Separable Differential Equations

This equation defines y implicitly as a function of x.

Dr K § 9.3 Variable Separable Differential Equations

This equation defines y implicitly as a function of x. But in
this case we can solve explicitly for y as follows:
3 /3+C 3 /3
|y | = e ln |y | = e x = eC ex

Dr K § 9.3 Variable Separable Differential Equations

This equation defines y implicitly as a function of x. But in
this case we can solve explicitly for y as follows:
3 /3+C 3 /3
|y | = e ln |y | = e x = eC ex

so
3 /3
y = ±e C e x .

Dr K § 9.3 Variable Separable Differential Equations

This equation defines y implicitly as a function of x. But in
this case we can solve explicitly for y as follows:
3 /3+C 3 /3
|y | = e ln |y | = e x = eC ex

so
3 /3
y = ±e C e x .
We can easily verify that the function y = 0 cannot be a
solution of the given differential equation.

Dr K § 9.3 Variable Separable Differential Equations

This equation defines y implicitly as a function of x. But in
this case we can solve explicitly for y as follows:
3 /3+C 3 /3
|y | = e ln |y | = e x = eC ex

so
3 /3
y = ±e C e x .
We can easily verify that the function y = 0 cannot be a
solution of the given differential equation. So we can write the
general solution in the form
3 /3
y = Ae x

where A is an arbitrary constant (A = e C ), or ( A = −e C ).

Dr K § 9.3 Variable Separable Differential Equations

Orthogonal Trajectories

Dr K § 9.3 Variable Separable Differential Equations

An orthogonal trajectory of a family of curves is a curve
that intersects each curve of the family orthogonally,

Dr K § 9.3 Variable Separable Differential Equations

An orthogonal trajectory of a family of curves is a curve
that intersects each curve of the family orthogonally, that is,
at right angles (see Figure 7 below).

Dr K § 9.3 Variable Separable Differential Equations

An orthogonal trajectory of a family of curves is a curve
that intersects each curve of the family orthogonally, that is,
at right angles (see Figure 7 below).
For instance, each member of the family y = mx of straight
lines through the origin is an orthogonal trajectory of the
family x 2 + y 2 = r 2 of concentric circles with center the origin
(see Figure 8 below).

Dr K § 9.3 Variable Separable Differential Equations

An orthogonal trajectory of a family of curves is a curve
that intersects each curve of the family orthogonally, that is,
at right angles (see Figure 7 below).
For instance, each member of the family y = mx of straight
lines through the origin is an orthogonal trajectory of the
family x 2 + y 2 = r 2 of concentric circles with center the origin
(see Figure 8 below).
We say that the two families are orthogonal trajectories of
each other.

Dr K § 9.3 Variable Separable Differential Equations

Example
Find the orthogonal trajectories of the family of curves
x = ky 2 , where k is an arbitrary constant.

Dr K § 9.3 Variable Separable Differential Equations

Example
Find the orthogonal trajectories of the family of curves
x = ky 2 , where k is an arbitrary constant.

SOLUTION The curves x = ky 2 form a family of parabolas

whose axis of symmetry is the x-axis.

Dr K § 9.3 Variable Separable Differential Equations

Example
Find the orthogonal trajectories of the family of curves
x = ky 2 , where k is an arbitrary constant.

SOLUTION The curves x = ky 2 form a family of parabolas

whose axis of symmetry is the x-axis.
The first step is to find a single differential equation that is
satisfied by all members of the family.

Dr K § 9.3 Variable Separable Differential Equations

Example
Find the orthogonal trajectories of the family of curves
x = ky 2 , where k is an arbitrary constant.

SOLUTION The curves x = ky 2 form a family of parabolas

whose axis of symmetry is the x-axis.
The first step is to find a single differential equation that is
satisfied by all members of the family.
If we differentiate x = ky 2 , we get
dy dy 1
1 = 2ky or =
dx dx 2ky

Dr K § 9.3 Variable Separable Differential Equations

Example
Find the orthogonal trajectories of the family of curves
x = ky 2 , where k is an arbitrary constant.

SOLUTION The curves x = ky 2 form a family of parabolas

whose axis of symmetry is the x-axis.
The first step is to find a single differential equation that is
satisfied by all members of the family.
If we differentiate x = ky 2 , we get
dy dy 1
1 = 2ky or =
dx dx 2ky
This differential equation depends on k, but we need an
equation that is valid for all values of k simultaneously.

Dr K § 9.3 Variable Separable Differential Equations

To eliminate k we note that, from the equation of the given
general parabola x = ky 2 ,

Dr K § 9.3 Variable Separable Differential Equations

To eliminate k we note that, from the equation of the given
general parabola x = ky 2 , we have k = x/y 2 and so the
differential equation can be written as
dy 1 1 dy y
= = x or =
dx 2ky 2 y2 y dx 2x

Dr K § 9.3 Variable Separable Differential Equations

To eliminate k we note that, from the equation of the given
general parabola x = ky 2 , we have k = x/y 2 and so the
differential equation can be written as
dy 1 1 dy y
= = x or =
dx 2ky 2 y2 y dx 2x

This means that the slope of the tangent line at any point
(x, y ) on one of the parabolas is y ′ = y /(2x).

Dr K § 9.3 Variable Separable Differential Equations

To eliminate k we note that, from the equation of the given
general parabola x = ky 2 , we have k = x/y 2 and so the
differential equation can be written as
dy 1 1 dy y
= = x or =
dx 2ky 2 y2 y dx 2x

This means that the slope of the tangent line at any point
(x, y ) on one of the parabolas is y ′ = y /(2x).
On an orthogonal trajectory the slope of the tangent line must
be the negative reciprocal of this slope.

Dr K § 9.3 Variable Separable Differential Equations

To eliminate k we note that, from the equation of the given
general parabola x = ky 2 , we have k = x/y 2 and so the
differential equation can be written as
dy 1 1 dy y
= = x or =
dx 2ky 2 y2 y dx 2x

This means that the slope of the tangent line at any point
(x, y ) on one of the parabolas is y ′ = y /(2x).
On an orthogonal trajectory the slope of the tangent line must
be the negative reciprocal of this slope.
Therefore the orthogonal trajectories must satisfy the
differential equation
dy 2x
=−
dx y

Dr K § 9.3 Variable Separable Differential Equations

This differential equation is separable, and we solve it as
follows:
Z Z
y dy = − 2x dx

Dr K § 9.3 Variable Separable Differential Equations

This differential equation is separable, and we solve it as
follows:
Z Z
y dy = − 2x dx
y2
= −x 2 + C
2

Dr K § 9.3 Variable Separable Differential Equations

This differential equation is separable, and we solve it as
follows:
Z Z
y dy = − 2x dx
y2
= −x 2 + C
2
y2
x2 + =C (7)
2
where C is an arbitrary positive constant.

Dr K § 9.3 Variable Separable Differential Equations

This differential equation is separable, and we solve it as
follows:
Z Z
y dy = − 2x dx
y2
= −x 2 + C
2
y2
x2 + =C (7)
2
where C is an arbitrary positive constant.
Thus the orthogonal trajectories are the family of ellipses given
by Equation 7 and sketched in Figure below.

Dr K § 9.3 Variable Separable Differential Equations

Orthogonal trajectories occur in various branches of physics.

For example, in an electrostatic field the lines of force are

orthogonal to the lines of constant potential.

Also, the streamlines in aerodynamics are orthogonal

trajectories of the velocity-equipotential curves.

Dr K § 9.3 Variable Separable Differential Equations