Module 3: Ordinary Differential Equations

Lesson 26

Differential Equation of First Order

In this lesson we present solution techniques of differential equations of first order and
first degree. We shall mainly discuss differential equation of variable separable form,
homogeneous equations and equations reducible to homogeneous form.
There are two standard forms of differential equations of first order and first degree,
namely,
dy
= f (x, y) or Mdx + Ndy = 0
dx
Here M and N are functions of x and y , or constants. We discuss here some special forms
of these equations where exact solution can easily be obtained.

26.1 Separation of Variables

If in a differential equation, it is possible to get all the functions x and dx to one side and
all the functions of y and dy to the other, the variables are said to be separable. In other
words if a differential equation can be written in the form F (x)dx + G(y)dy = 0, we say
variables are separable and its solution is obtained by integrating the equation as
Z Z
F (x)dx + G(y)dy = c,

where c is a integration constant.

26.2 Example Problems

26.2.1 Problem 1

dy
Solve = ex+y + x2 ey .
dx
Solution: For separating variables, we rewrite the given equation as

e−y dy = (ex + x2 )dx.

 Differential Equation of First Order

Integrating the above equation we have

−e−y = ex + x3 /3 + c,

where c is an arbitrary constant.

26.2.2 Problem 2

Solve 3ex tan ydx + (1 − ex ) sec2 ydy = 0.

Solution: Separating the variables, we get
3ex sec2 y
dx + dy = 0.
1 − ex tan y
Integration gives
−3 log(1 − ex ) + log(tan y) = log c,

where c is an arbitrary constant.

26.3 Equations Reducible to Separable Form

Differential equation of the form

dy dy
= f (ax + by + c) or = f (ax + by)
dx dx
can be reduced by the substitution ax + by + c = v or ax + by = v to an equation in which
variables can be separated.

26.3.1 Example

dy
Solve = sec(x + y).
dx
Solution: Let, x + y = v so that
dy dv
= − 1. (26.1)
dx dx
Using (26.1), the given differential equation becomes
dv
= sec v + 1. (26.2)
dx

2
 Differential Equation of First Order

This equation is of separable form. Thus we have

1 2 cos2 (v/2) − 1
dx = dv ⇒ dx = dv
sec v + 1 1 + 2 cos2 (v/2) − 1

Further simplifications gives

 
1 2
dx = 1 − sec (v/2) dv
2

Integrating and substituting the value of v , we obtain y − tan 21 (x + y) = c.

26.4 Homogeneous Differential Equation

A differential equation of first order and first degree is said to be homogeneous if it can
be put in the form
dy
= f (y/x).
dx

These equations can be solved by letting y/x = v and differentiating with respect to x as
dv dv
v+x = f (v) ⇒ x = f (v) − v.
dx dx
Then, separating variables, we have
dx dv
=
x f (v) − v

Integrating the above equation we obtain

dv
Z
log x + c = ,
f (v) − v

where c is an arbitrary constant. The solution is obtained by replacing variable v by y/x.

26.4.1 Example

Solve the differential equation

dy y y
= + tan
dx x x

3
 Differential Equation of First Order

Solution: Since the right hand side of the given equation is function of y/x alone, the
given problem is homogeneous equation. Substituting y/x = v so that
dy dv
=v+x (26.3)
dx dx
the given equation becomes
dv dx cos v
v+x = v + tan v → = dv
dx x sin v
Integrating and substituting the value of v , we get the solution as
y
cx = sin ,
x
where c is an arbitrary constant.

26.5 Equations Reducible to Homogeneous Form

Equation of the form

dy ax + by + c a b
= ′ , 6= ′ (26.4)
dx a x + b′ y + c′ a′ b
can be reduced to homogeneous form. The procedure is as follows:
Take
x = X + h and y = Y + k

where X, Y are new variables and h, k are constants to be chosen so that the resulting
equation in X, Y becomes homogeneous. From above we have dx = dX , and dy = dY , so
that dy/dx = dY /dX . Now the given differential equation in new variables becomes
dX aX + bY + (ah + bk + c)
= ′ (26.5)
dY a X + b′ Y + (a′ h + b′ k + c′ )
In order to make (26.5) homogeneous, the constant h and k must satisfy the following
algebraic equations

ah + bk + c = 0 , a′ h + b′ k + c′ = 0 (26.6)

Solving equations (26.6), we obtain

bc′ − b′ c ca′ − c′ a
h= , k = (26.7)
ab′ − a′ b ab′ − a′ b

4
 Differential Equation of First Order

provided ab′ − a′ b 6= 0. Knowing h and k we have

X = x − h, Y = y − k. (26.8)

The Equation (26.5) now reduces to

dY aX + b(Y /X)
= ′ (26.9)
dX a + b′ (Y /X)
which is a homogeneous equation in X and Y which can be solved by substituting Y /X =
v . After getting solution in X and y , we remove X and Y using (26.8) and obtain solution
in terms of x and y .

26.5.1 Example

Solve the differential equation

dy (x + y + 4)
=
dx (x − y − 6)

Solution: Let x = X + h, y = Y + k , so that dy/dx = dY /dX and using this, the

given differential equation reduces to
dy X + Y + (h + k + 4)
= . (26.10)
dx X − Y + (h − k − 6)
Choose h and k such that h + k + 4 = 0, h − k − 6 = 0, and by solving, we get h = 1 and
k = −5. New variables becomes X = x − 1 and Y = y + 5. Using this into (26.10), we
obtain
dY 1 + Y /X
= . (26.11)
dX 1 + Y /X
Substituting
dY dv
Y = Xv and =v+X
dX dX
the Equation (26.11) becomes
dX 1−v dv vdv
= 2
dv = 2
dv − . (26.12)
X 1+v 1+v 1 + v2
Integrating the above equation, we get

log X = tan−1 v − (1/2) log(1 + v 2 ) + (1/2) log c

5
 Differential Equation of First Order

Further simplifications gives

2 log X + log(1 + Y 2 /X 2 ) − log c = 2 tan−1 (Y /X), as v = Y /X

Thus, we get

X 2 + Y 2 = ce2 tan (Y /X)

−1
;

Replacing X and Y as X = x − 1 and Y = y + 5 we obtain the general solution as

(x − 1)2 + (y + 5)2 = ce2 tan ((y+5)/(x−1))

−1
.

Suggested Readings

Dubey, R. (2010). Mathematics for Engineers (Volume II). Narosa Publishing House.
New Delhi.
Weir, M.D., Hass, J. and Giordano, F.R. (2005). Thomas Calculus. Eleventh Edition.
Pearson Education. New Delhi.
McQuarrie, D.A. (2009). Mathematical Methods for Scientist and Engineers. First Indian
Edition. Viva Books Pvt. Ltd. New Delhi.
Raisinghania, M.D. (2005). Ordinary & Partial Differential Equation. Eighth Edition. S.
Chand & Company Ltd., New Delhi.
Kreyszig, E. (1993). Advanced Engineering Mathematics. Seventh Edition, John Willey
& Sons, Inc., New York.
Arfken, G.B. (2001). Mathematical Methods for Physicists. Fifth Edition, Harcourt Aca-
demic Press, San Diego.
Grewal, B.S. (2007). Higher Engineering Mathematics. Fourteenth Edition. Khanna
Publishilers, New Delhi.
Edwards, C.H., Penney, D.E. (2007). Elementary Differential Equations with Boundary
Value Problems. Sixth Edition. Pearson Higher Ed, USA.
Piskunov, N. (1996). Differential and Integral Calculus (Volume - 2). First Edition. CBS
Publisher, Moscow.