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2.4 Exact Equations

1) The document defines an exact differential equation as one where the left hand side can be written as the total differential of some function f(x,y). 2) It provides the test for an equation to be exact: the partial derivatives of M(x,y) and N(x,y) with respect to y and x respectively must be equal. 3) If the equation is exact, you can find the function f(x,y) by integrating M(x,y) with respect to x or N(x,y) with respect to y.

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458 views3 pages

2.4 Exact Equations

1) The document defines an exact differential equation as one where the left hand side can be written as the total differential of some function f(x,y). 2) It provides the test for an equation to be exact: the partial derivatives of M(x,y) and N(x,y) with respect to y and x respectively must be equal. 3) If the equation is exact, you can find the function f(x,y) by integrating M(x,y) with respect to x or N(x,y) with respect to y.

Uploaded by

AcapSui
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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2.4 Exact Equations

Differential of a function of two variables


If z = f ( x, y ) is a function of two variables with continuous first partial derivatives in a region
R, then its differential is:

dz =

f
f
dx + dy
x
y

(1)

When f ( x, y ) = c where c is a constant, then

f
f
dx + dy = 0
x
y

(2)

Definition: Exact Equation


A first order DE of the form

M ( x, y )dx + N ( x, y)dy = 0

(3)

is said to be exact equation if the expression on the left-hand side of (3) is an exact differential.

M ( x, y )dx + N ( x, y )dy =

f
f
dx + dy = 0
x
y

Test for exactness:


Let M ( x, y ) and N ( x, y) be continuous first partial derivatives in a region R:

M ( x, y ) =

f
f
, N ( x, y ) =
x
y

M
f
2 f
= ( )=
y y x
yx
N f
2 f
= ( )=
x x y
xy

M N
=
y
x

A first order DE of the form M ( x, y )dx + N ( x, y)dy = 0 is exact equation if:

M N
=
y
x
Example 1:
Show that the DE: 2 xydx + ( x 2 1)dy = 0 is exact equation.

2.4 Exact Equations

Example 2:
Determine whether the DE: (3 x 2 y + e y )dx + ( x 3 + xe y 2 y )dy = 0 is exact equation.

Note:

When testing an equation for exactness, make sure it is of the precise form

M ( x, y )dx + N ( x, y)dy = 0 . Sometimes a DE is written as G ( x, y)dx = H ( x, y )dy . In this


case, first rewrite the equation as G( x, y)dx H ( x, y)dy = 0 then identify

M ( x, y ) = G ( x, y) and N ( x, y) = H ( x, y) before test for exactness.

Procedure for solving an exact equation


i)

Write the DE in the form M ( x, y )dx + N ( x, y)dy = 0 .

ii)

Test for exactness. If

iii)

If the DE is exact then:

iv)

From

M N
=
then the DE is exact.
y
x

f
f
= M ( x, y ) and
= N ( x, y )
x
y

f
= M ( x, y ) , integrate both sides with respect to x and then differentiate with
x

respect to y. Compare the result with N(x,y).


f ( x, y ) = M ( x, y )dx + g ( y )

(4)

= M ( x, y )dx + g '( y ) = N ( x, y )
y y

g ' ( y ) = N ( x, y )

M ( x, y )dx
y

where the arbitrary function g(y) is the constant of integration.


Find g(y). Then substitute the answer in (4)

OR
From

f
= N ( x, y ) , integrate both sides with respect to y and then differentiate with
y

respect to x. Compare the result with M(x,y).

2.4 Exact Equations

f ( x, y ) = N ( x, y )dy + h( x)

(5)

= N ( x, y )dy + h '( x) = M ( x, y )
x x

h '( x) = M ( x, y ) N ( x, y )dy
x

where the arbitrary function h(y) is the constant of integration.


Find h(y). Then substitute the answer in (5)

In either case none of these formulas should be memorized.

Example 3: Solve (2 x 1)dx + (3 y + 7)dy = 0


(Note: This equation can also be solved by separable of variables)

Integrating Factor
Some non-exact DE can be made exact by multiplication of the equation by an integrating factor

.
Consider a non-exact DE in form of M ( x, y )dx + N ( x, y)dy = 0

When

(M y N x )
N

is a function of x alone, then an integrating factor is:

( x) = e

When

(N x M y )
M

M y Nx
N

dx

is a function of y alone, then an integrating factor is:

( y) = e

Nx M y
M

dy

Example 4:
Solve the DE (2 y 2 + 3 x)dx + 2 xydy = 0 by finding an appropriate integrating factor.

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