Exact Differential Equations

i. Definition

A type of differential equation which has a form of:

( ) ( )

Solution:

Rearrange the given equation and apply special formulas of the derivatives depending on the pattern of
the equation:

( )∫ ∫

∫
( ) ∫

ii. Identifying Exact Differential Equations

a) If there exist a function F(x,y) such that its total differential, dF, is exactly equal to the left side of
the first-ordered differential equation ( ) ( ) , that is:

( ) ( )

then ( ) ( ) is said to be an exact differential equation.

Remark: ( ) ( ) and since, for exact differential equation defined above,

( ) ( ) , we can say that . The solution, therefore, to an exact differential
equation is simply:

( )

b) To determine the sufficient conditions/s for the “exactness” of ( ) ( ) as

defined by ( ) ( ) , we proceed as follows:
1. Note from elementary calculus that for the function of two variables ( ), the total
differential is given as:
Comparing with ( ) ( ) shows that:

( )

( )

Although these equalities are necessary conditions to satisfy ( ) ( ) ,

these are not the criteria being sought since there is no valid reason, as yet, in setting up these
equations arbitrarily without first examining under what additional conditions/s they are valid.

2. Consider now the mixed derivatives of the equations ( ) and ( ): the

second partial of the first equation relative to y and the second partial of the second
equation relative to x,

and

3. Recall that in calculus the mixed derivatives if ( ) have been shown to be invariant with
respect to the order if differential, or:

And so, with the equations and , we have:

which is the sufficient condition being sought for the exactness of ( ) ( ) .

Conclusion: The differential equation ( ) ( ) is said to be exact if:

provided that M, N, , are continuous functions of x and y.

Finally, with the knowledge of the condition for the exactness of ( ) ( ) , the
remaining problem is the determination of its solution represented by ( ) . Here, the function
( ) is obtained from either of the two equations ( ) and ( ),

∫ ( ) ( )

∫ ( ) ( )

Remarks:

1. The first of these two equations is integrated partially relative to x (holding y constant), while
the second integrated partially relative to y (holding x constant).
2. The constants of partial integration, f(y) and g(x), are found by comparison of these two possible
solutions.

Sample Problems

Problem 1

Find the complete solution of:

( ) ( )

Solution:

a. Test for exactness

*Since the two partials are equal, the equation is exact.

b. The solution is ( ) , where:

1) ∫ ( )
∫( ) ( )
( )

or
 2) ∫ ( )
∫( ) ( )
( )

Comparison of (1) and (2) gives us:

( ) and ( )
So the solution is:

Problem 2

Find the general solution of

( ) ( )

Solution:

a. Test for exactness

The equation is exact.

b. The solution is ( ) , where

1) ∫ ( )
∫( ) ( )
( )
or
2) ∫ ( )
∫( ) ( )

( )
Comparison of (1) and (2) shows that:
( ) and ( )

The solution is:

Problem 3

Determine the particular solution of:

( ) ( )

Solution:

a. Test for exactness

The given differential equation is exact.

b. The solution is ( ) , where:

1) ∫ ( )
∫( ) ( )
( )

or

2) ∫ ( )
∫( ) ( )
( )

Comparison of (1) and (2) gives us:

( ) and ( )

So the solution is:

( )

c. When and
The particular solution is: