EXACT DIFFERENTIAL EQUATIONS

MODULE - 4

MODULE TITLE: Exact Differential Equations

LEARNING OBJECTIVES:
After finishing this module, you are expected to:

1. Define the meaning of exact differential equations

2. Identify whether a differential equation is exact or not
3. Solve exact differential equation
4. Understand the principle of exact differential equation

TOPICS:
1. Definition of Exact Differential Equation
2. Solutions to Exact Differential Equations

WARM UP:

A. Give three things that you expect you will learn in this module.
1. ______________________________________________
2. ______________________________________________
3. ______________________________________________

B. Pre-Test: Answer the following:

Test the differential equations for exactness and obtain the general solutions.
Those equations which are not exact, may be solved using the methods of the
previous topics.
1. (𝑥 + 𝑦 2 )𝑑𝑥 + (2𝑥𝑦 + 𝑦 2 )𝑑𝑦 = 0
2. (2𝑥𝑦 3 + 𝑥 2)𝑑𝑥 + (3𝑥 2 𝑦 2 + 𝑦)𝑑𝑦 = 0
3. (𝑒 2𝑦 + 𝑥)𝑑𝑥 + (2𝑥𝑒 2𝑦 + 1)𝑑𝑦 = 0

OVERVIEW/INTRODUCTION:

This topic refers to another type of differential equation which called Exact
differential equation. In solving this kind of equation, it is necessary to obtain the method
of partial differentiation and partial integration because it will be useful in the
determination of exactness or the preciseness of an equation.
 EXACT DIFFERENTIAL EQUATIONS

LESSON PROPER:

1.1 EXACT DIFFERENTIAL EQUATIONS

A first order differential equation 𝑀(𝑥, 𝑦)𝑑𝑥 + 𝑁 (𝑥, 𝑦)𝑑𝑦 = 0, is exact if

𝜕𝑀 𝜕𝑁
and only if, =
𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑥
Example(a).
Test the differential equation (3𝑥 2 + 𝑦)𝑑𝑥 + (𝑥 − 3𝑦)𝑑𝑦 = 0, if it is exact
or not.
Solution:
To test for exactness of a given differential equation, it should
𝜕𝑀 𝜕𝑁
satisfy the condition =
𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑥
Set 𝑀 = (3𝑥 2 + 𝑦) and 𝑁 = (𝑥 − 3𝑦)
𝜕𝑀 𝜕𝑁
Using the condition = ,
𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑥
𝜕𝑀 𝜕 2 𝜕𝑁 𝜕
= (3𝑥 + 𝑦) = (𝑥 − 3𝑦)
𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑥
𝜕𝑀 𝜕𝑁
=1 =1
𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑥
The equation is exact.
Example(b).
Test the differential equation (4𝑥 + 𝑦 3 )𝑑𝑥 + (3𝑥𝑦 2 + 𝑦)𝑑𝑦 = 0, if it is
exact or not.
Solution:
Set 𝑀 = 4𝑥 + 𝑦 3 and 𝑁 = 3𝑥𝑦 2 + 𝑦,
𝜕𝑀 𝜕 𝜕𝑁 𝜕
= (4𝑥 + 𝑦 3 ) = (3𝑥𝑦 2 + 𝑦)
𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑥
𝜕𝑀 2 𝜕𝑁
= 3𝑦 = 3𝑦 2
𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑥
The equation is exact.

Example(c),
Test the differential equation (cos 𝑥 + sin 𝑦)𝑑𝑥 + (𝑦 + 𝑥 cos 𝑦)𝑑𝑦 = 0, if
it is exact or not.
Solution:
Set 𝑀 = cos 𝑥 + sin 𝑦 and 𝑁 = 𝑦 + 𝑥 cos 𝑦,
𝜕𝑀 𝜕 𝜕𝑁 𝜕
= (cos 𝑥 + sin 𝑦) = (𝑦 + 𝑥 cos 𝑦)
𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑥
𝜕𝑀 𝜕𝑁
= cos 𝑦 = cos 𝑦
𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑥
The equation is exact
Example (d).
Test the differential equation (𝑒 𝑥 + 2𝑥𝑦)𝑑𝑥 + (𝑒 𝑦 + 2𝑥𝑦)𝑑𝑦 = 0, if it is
exact or not.
Solution:
Set 𝑀 = 𝑒 𝑥 + 2𝑥𝑦 and 𝑁 = 𝑒 𝑦 + 2𝑥𝑦,
𝜕𝑀 𝜕 𝜕𝑁 𝜕
= (𝑒 𝑥 + 2𝑥𝑦) = (𝑒 𝑦 + 2𝑥𝑦)
𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑥
𝜕𝑀 𝜕𝑁
= 2𝑥 = 2𝑦
𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑥
 EXACT DIFFERENTIAL EQUATIONS

The equation is not exact.

Example (e).
Test the differential equation 𝑥𝑑𝑦 + 𝑥(1 + 4𝑥 2 𝑦)𝑑𝑥 = 0, if it is exact or
not.
Solution:
𝑥𝑑𝑦 + 𝑥(1 + 4𝑥 2 𝑦)𝑑𝑥 = 0
𝑥(1 + 4𝑥 2 𝑦)𝑑𝑥 + 𝑥𝑑𝑦 = 0
Set 𝑀 = 𝑥 (1 + 4𝑥 2 𝑦) and 𝑁 = 𝑥,
𝜕𝑀 𝜕 𝜕𝑁 𝜕
= (𝑥 (1 + 4𝑥 2 𝑦)) = (𝑥)
𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑥
𝜕𝑀 3 𝜕𝑁
= 4𝑥 =1
𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑥
The equation is not exact.

1.2 SOLUTIONS TO EXACT DIFFERENTIAL EQUATIONS

Given that 𝑀(𝑥, 𝑦)𝑑𝑥 + 𝑁(𝑥, 𝑦)𝑑𝑦 = 0, is exact differential equation,

thus, we may proceed to its solution to get its general solution.
There are two methods in solving for the general solution of an exact
differential equation.

First Method:
If the equation is exact, its solution is 𝑓(𝑥, 𝑦) = 𝑐 where,
𝜕𝑓 𝜕𝑓
= 𝑀(𝑥, 𝑦) and = 𝑁(𝑥, 𝑦)
𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦
By that relationship, determine the value of 𝑓 (𝑥, 𝑦).
Steps using the first method:
𝜕𝑓 𝜕𝑓
1. Let = 𝑀(𝑥, 𝑦) be equation (1) and = 𝑁(𝑥, 𝑦) be equation (2).
𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦
2. Integrate any of the two equations, say equation (1). It must be
integrated partially with respect to x, taking the order variable 𝑦 as
constant and take as equation (3) ∫ 𝜕𝑓 = ∫ 𝑀(𝑥, 𝑦)𝜕𝑥 + 𝑔(𝑦)
3. Differentiate equation (3) partially with respect to 𝑦 and take as
𝜕
equation (4) [∫ 𝑀(𝑥, 𝑦)𝜕𝑥 + 𝑔(𝑦)]
𝜕𝑦
4. For the equation obtained equation (4), determine 𝑔(𝑦) by setting the
equation equal to 𝑁(𝑥, 𝑦). To determine 𝑔(𝑦), integrate the equation.
5. Then, substitute 𝑔(𝑦) to equation (3), therefore 𝑓 (𝑥, 𝑦) = 𝑐 is the
general solution.

Second Method:
Here are the steps in solving exact differential equation using the second
method.
1. Take all the direct integrable terms in M and N, e.g., 𝑓 (𝑥 )𝑑𝑥, 𝑔(𝑦)𝑑𝑦,
etc. and choose only one non-direct integrable terms in M and N, e.g.,
𝑓 (𝑥, 𝑦)𝑑𝑥, 𝑔(𝑥, 𝑦)𝑑𝑦, etc.
EXACT DIFFERENTIAL EQUATIONS

2. Integrate the direct integrable and non-integrable terms. By partial

integration, we can integrate the non-integrable terms with respect to
any variable taking the other variable as constant.
∫(𝐷𝑖𝑟𝑒𝑐𝑡 𝐼𝑛𝑡𝑒𝑔𝑟𝑎𝑏𝑙𝑒) + ∫(𝑁𝑜𝑛 − 𝐷𝑖𝑟𝑒𝑐𝑡 𝐼𝑛𝑡𝑒𝑔𝑟𝑎𝑏𝑙𝑒 ) = ∫ 0 or
∫ 𝐷. 𝐼 + ∫ 𝑁. 𝐷. 𝐼 = 𝐶

Example (a):
Obtain the general solution of (3𝑥 2 + 𝑦)𝑑𝑥 + (𝑥 − 3𝑦)𝑑𝑦 = 0
Solution:
The differential equation is exact.
Using the First Method:
Take,
𝜕𝑓
𝑀 = = 3𝑥 2 + 𝑦 - equation (1)
𝜕𝑥
𝜕𝑓
𝑁= = 𝑥 − 3𝑦 - equation (2)
𝜕𝑦
Using equation (1);
Integrate both sides of the equation.
∫ 𝜕𝑓 = ∫(3𝑥 2 + 𝑦)𝜕𝑥
𝑓 = 𝑥 3 + 𝑥𝑦 + 𝑔(𝑦) - equation (3)
Differentiate equation (3) with respect to y,
𝜕 𝜕
(𝑓 ) = [𝑥 3 + 𝑥𝑦 + 𝑔(𝑦) ]
𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑦
𝜕𝑓
= 𝑥 + 𝑔′(𝑦) - equation (4)
𝜕𝑦
Equate equation (4) and equation (2)
𝑥 + 𝑔′ (𝑦) = 𝑥 − 3𝑦
𝑔′ (𝑦) = −3𝑦
Integrate to determine 𝑔(𝑦),
∫ 𝑔′ (𝑦) = ∫ −3𝑦 𝑑𝑦
3
𝑔(𝑦) = − 𝑦 2
2
Substitute 𝑔(𝑦) to equation (3)
3
𝑓 = 𝑥 3 + 𝑥𝑦 − 𝑦 2
2
It should follow that 𝑓 𝑥, 𝑦) = 𝑐, so that the general solution is,
(
3
𝑥 3 + 𝑥𝑦 − 𝑦 2 = 𝑐
2
2𝑥 3 + 2𝑥𝑦 − 3𝑦 2 = 𝑐
Using Equation (2):
Integrate both sides of the equation,
∫ 𝜕𝑓 = ∫(𝑥 − 3𝑦)𝜕𝑦
3
𝑓 = 𝑥𝑦 − 𝑦 2 + 𝑔(𝑥) - equation (3)
2
Differentiate equation (3) with respect to x,
𝜕𝑓
= 𝑦 + 𝑔′(𝑥) - equation (4)
𝜕𝑥
Equate equation (4) and equation (1)
𝑦 + 𝑔′ (𝑥 ) = 3𝑥 2 + 𝑦
𝑔′ (𝑥 ) = 3𝑥 2
Integrate to determine 𝑔(𝑥)
 EXACT DIFFERENTIAL EQUATIONS

∫ 𝑔′ (𝑥 ) = ∫ 3𝑥 2 𝑑𝑥
𝑔 (𝑥 ) = 𝑥 3
Substitute 𝑔(𝑥 ) to equation (3)
3
𝑓 = 𝑥𝑦 − 𝑦 2 + 𝑥 3
2
It should follow that 𝑓(𝑥, 𝑦) = 𝑐 so that the general solution is,
3
𝑥 3 + 𝑥𝑦 − 𝑦 2 = 𝑐
2
2𝑥 3 + 2𝑥𝑦 − 3𝑦 2 = 𝑐
The same answers obtained using either of the two equations.
Using the Second Method:
(3𝑥 2 + 𝑦)𝑑𝑥 + (𝑥 − 3𝑦)𝑑𝑦 = 0
Take all direct integrable and non-direct integrable functions in M
and N. The direct integrable terms are 3𝑥 2 𝑑𝑥 and −3𝑦𝑑𝑦 and the non-
direct integrable terms are 𝑦𝑑𝑥 and 𝑥𝑑𝑦, therefore, integrating all the
direct integrable terms and choose only one non-direct integrable terms,
the general solution is,
∫ 𝐷. 𝐼 + ∫ 𝑁. 𝐷. 𝐼 = ∫ 0
∫(3𝑥 2 𝑑𝑥 − 3𝑦𝑑𝑦) + ∫ 𝑦𝑑𝑥 = ∫ 0
3
𝑥 3 − 𝑦 2 + 𝑥𝑦 = 𝑐
2
2𝑥 3 − 3𝑦 2 + 2𝑥𝑦 = 𝑐
Using either of the two methods will lead to the same general solutions.

PERFORMANCE TASK:
 Read the entire content of Module
 Analyze and understand the exact differential equations
 Know the concept and principles of exact differential equations

TARGET SKILLS:
 Solving differential equation into general solution
 Proving the solution of exact differential equations
 Identifying the exactness of differential equations

LEARNING ACTIVITIES
 Participate in discussion forum thru zoom meeting
 Read the entire content of Module
 Working through sample problems
 Collaborative online learning

ASSESSMENT TASK
 Quiz
 Worksheet

References:

 Simplified text with Workbook in Differential Equations for Engineering Students,

Engr. Harold Jan R. Terano