Scribd
Upload
143 views3 pages

A Differential Equation Which Is Obtained by Setting The Total Differential of Some Function Equal To Zero

This document provides an overview of exact differential equations. It defines an exact differential equation as one where the left side is the exact differential of some function u(x,y). For an equation to be exact, the partial derivatives of M and N with respect to y and x respectively must be equal. The document gives examples of determining if equations are exact and solving exact equations by finding the function u(x,y). It also discusses some integrable combinations that allow solving equations without separating variables.

Uploaded by

Oliver Estoce
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
143 views3 pages

A Differential Equation Which Is Obtained by Setting The Total Differential of Some Function Equal To Zero

This document provides an overview of exact differential equations. It defines an exact differential equation as one where the left side is the exact differential of some function u(x,y). For an equation to be exact, the partial derivatives of M and N with respect to y and x respectively must be equal. The document gives examples of determining if equations are exact and solving exact equations by finding the function u(x,y). It also discusses some integrable combinations that allow solving equations without separating variables.

Uploaded by

Oliver Estoce
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 3

BUENAVISTA COMMUNITY COLLEGE

Cangawa, Buenavista, Bohol


Telefax: (038)5139169/Tel.: 513-9179

Exact Differential Equations


I. Overview:
A differential equation which is obtained by setting the total differential of some
function equal to zero.

II. Specific Objectives: At the end of the lesson, the students are expected to:
a)State the definition of an exact ODE.
b) test an ODE for exactness.
c) solve an exact ODE.
III. Learning Session:
When a differential equation,
M (x,y)dx + N(x,y)dy = 0 (1)
is such that the left side is the exact differential of some function u(x,y), that is, Mdx
+ Ndy ≡ du, we say that (1) is an exact differential equation, and its solution is u(x,y)
= c. Recalling that the total differential of a function u(x,y) is defined by
∂u ∂u
du = dx + dy, (2)
∂x ∂y
we observe for an exact equation that
∂u ∂u
= M, = N. (3)
∂x ∂y

d2 u d2 u
Since, however, = , it follows (3) that
dx dy dx dy
∂M
∂y
= ∂∂Nx
is a necessary requirement in order that (1) be an exact differential equation.
Since ordinarily one cannot determine by inspection whether or not a given
equation is exact, a test for exactness is necessary. That test is given by the
following theorem.
Theorem. Let M(x, y), N(x, y), ∂M/∂y and ∂N/∂x be continuous functions of x and y.
Then a necessary and sufficient condition that the differential equation

Math 401 - Differential Equation (Module 3) 1


             M(x, y) dx + N(x, y) dy = 0
be exact is
∂ M ( x , y)
∂y
= ∂ N ∂(xx , y )
Proof
If the differential equation is exact the next step is to produce the function u(x, y) of
which M(x, y) dx + N(x, y) dy is the total differential. Sometimes it can be determined from
inspection. More often it cannot. The following example illustrates the usual method of
solution.

Example1. Test the following equation for exactness and find the solution if it is
exact.
 (3x2y - y)dx + (x3 - x + 2y)dy = 0
Solution.
 
            M = 3x2y - y                 N = x3 - x + 2y
 
            ∂M/∂y = 3x2 - 1          ∂N/∂x = 3x2 - 1

Since ∂M/∂y = ∂N/∂x, the equation is exact i.e. there is a function u(x, y) of which
the left-hand side of equation is exactly the total differential. To find this function
we integrate ∂u/∂x = M = 3x2 - y with respect to x, holding y constant. We obtain

  u(x, y) = ∫M ∂x = ∫(3x2 - y)∂x = x3y - yx + φ(y) (4)


where φ(y) consists of terms that are free from x (∫M ∂x denotes integration with
respect to x, holding y constant). In the same way, we integrate ∂u/∂y = N = x3 - x +
2y with respect to y, holding x constant. We obtain

u(x, y) = ∫N ∂y = ∫( x3 - x + 2y)∂y = x3y - xy + y2  + ψ(x) (5)


where ψ(x) consists of terms that are free from y ( i.e. terms containing x only or
constants).
Comparing (4) and (5) we see that the general solution is
             x3y - xy + y2 = C

Example 2. Solve (2x + y – 3)dx + (x - 4y +1) dy = 0


Solution: Since
M = 2x + y – 3 and N = x - 4y +1
∂M/∂y = 1 and ∂N/∂x = 1
we see that the given equation is exact: hence

u(x, y) = ∫M ∂x = ∫(2x + y – 3) ∂x = x2 + xy – 3x + φ(y)


Math 401 - Differential Equation (Module 3) 2
and
u(x, y) = ∫N ∂y = ∫(x - 4y +1) ∂y = xy – 2y2 + y + ψ(x)

Comparing ∫M ∂x and ∫N ∂y we see that the general solution is

x2 + xy – 3x – 2y2 + y = c
Reference: Calculus with Analytic Geometry by Thurman S. Peterson
Watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ff2OKHEKHUA
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zWA47AqArzk

Even though the variables are not separable in a given differential equation,
certain integrable combinations may occur that make it possible to solve the
equation readily.
Illustration 1. The equation (2x + y)dx + xdy = 0 can be written in the form 2xdx + (ydx
+xdy) = 0 whence d(x2) + d(xy) = 0. Thus, by integration, we obtain the solution x2 + xy = c.

A few of the simpler integrable combinations are as follows:


I. xdy + ydx = d(xy),
II. (xdy – ydx) / x2 = d(y/x),
III. (xdy – ydx)/y2 = d(-x/y),
IV. (xdy – ydx)/(x2 + y2) = d (Tan-1 y/x),
V. (xdy – ydx)/(x2 - y2) = d[ ½ ln(x+y)/(x-y)].

Illustration 2. The equation (2xy2 + y)dx – xdx = 0 contains the combination ydx –
xdy. Because y2 is available in the remaining term, we write the equation in the
ydx−xdy x
form 2xdx + = 0; whence x2 + = c, or y = x/(c-x2).
y2 y

IV. Application of Learning: Determine which of the following differential equations are
exact, and solve each equation that is exact.

1. (2x + 3y) dx + (3x – 4y) dy = 0. 5. sin x sin y dx – cos x cos y dy = 0

2. yex dx + exdy = 0 6. (x2 – 4xy + 4y2)dx + (2y2 + 8xy + 2x2) dy = 0

3. (3x2y2 + 2y3) dx + (2x3y + 6xy2) dy = 0.

4. (x3 + y3)dx + (3xy2 + ay3) dy = 0

Note: Write your answer in a yellow paper and pass it during our meeting. This will serve as your quiz.
Math 401 - Differential Equation (Module 3) 3

You might also like