2.3.

Exact First Order Differential Equations

Learning objectives:
 To state the necessary and sufficient condition for the
differential equation 𝑀 𝑥, 𝑦 𝑑𝑦 + 𝑁 𝑥, 𝑦 𝑑𝑥 to be exact
 To find the integrating factors and general solution of non-
exact differential equations.
AND
 To practice the related problems.
In this module we consider differential equations of first order
and first degree of the form 𝑀 𝑥, 𝑦 𝑑𝑥 + 𝑁 𝑥, 𝑦 𝑑𝑦 = 0 and
discuss their solutions

Exact differential equations of first order and first degree

Let 𝑀 (𝑥, 𝑦) and 𝑁(𝑥, 𝑦) be real valued functions defined on
some rectangle 𝑅: 𝑥, 𝑦 | |𝑥 − 𝑥0 | ≤ 𝑎, |𝑦 − 𝑦0 | ≤ 𝑏 . The
differential equation
𝑀 𝑥, 𝑦 𝑑𝑥 + 𝑁 𝑥, 𝑦 𝑑𝑦 = 0 … (1)
is said to be exact if there is a function 𝑓(𝑥, 𝑦) having
continuous first order partial derivatives in 𝑅 such that
𝑑 𝑓 𝑥, 𝑦 = 𝑀 𝑥, 𝑦 𝑑𝑥 + 𝑁 𝑥, 𝑦 𝑑𝑦
𝜕𝑓 𝜕𝑓
𝑖. 𝑒. , 𝑑𝑓 = 𝜕𝑥 𝑑𝑥 + 𝜕𝑦 𝑑𝑦 = 𝑀 𝑥, 𝑦 𝑑𝑥 + 𝑁(𝑥, 𝑦)𝑑𝑦

Example 1:
Consider the differential equation 2𝑥𝑦 + 𝑥 2 𝑑𝑦 = 0.
𝜕𝑓 𝜕𝑓
Notice that there is a 𝑓 𝑥, 𝑦 = 𝑥 2 𝑦 such that 𝜕𝑥 = 2𝑥𝑦, 𝜕𝑦 = 𝑥 2

𝜕𝑓 𝜕𝑓
𝑑𝑓 = 𝜕𝑥 𝑑𝑥 + 𝜕𝑦 𝑑𝑦 = 2𝑥𝑦𝑑𝑥 + 𝑥 2 𝑑𝑦

Thus, the given differential equation is exact.

In practice, finding 𝑓 𝑥, 𝑦 is not easy. The methods out lined
here will be often useful.
Theorem 1:
Let 𝑴(𝒙, 𝒚) and 𝑵(𝒙, 𝒚) be two real valued functions with
continuous partial derivatives on a rectangle
𝑹= 𝒙, 𝒚 𝒙 − 𝒙𝟎 ≤ 𝒂, |𝒚 − 𝒚𝟎 | ≤ 𝒃}.
The differential equation 𝑴 𝒙, 𝒚 𝒅𝒙 + 𝑵 𝒙, 𝒚 𝒅𝒚 = 𝟎 is exact
𝝏𝑴 𝝏𝑵
if and only if = in 𝑹.
𝝏𝒚 𝝏𝒙

Proof:
(i) Suppose the differential equation 𝑀𝑑𝑥 + 𝑁𝑑𝑦 = 0 is exact.
By definition there exists a function 𝑓(𝑥, 𝑦) having continuous
first order partial derivatives such that
𝜕𝑓 𝜕𝑓
𝑑𝑓 = 𝑀𝑑𝑥 + 𝑁𝑑𝑦 ⟹ 𝑑𝑥 + 𝜕𝑦 𝑑𝑦 = 𝑀𝑑𝑥 + 𝑁𝑑𝑦
𝜕𝑥

𝜕𝑓 𝜕𝑓
⟹ 𝑀 = 𝜕𝑥 , 𝑁 = 𝜕𝑦

𝜕𝑀 𝜕 𝜕𝑓 𝜕2𝑓 𝜕𝑁 𝜕 𝜕𝑓 𝜕2𝑓
Now, = 𝜕𝑦 = 𝜕𝑦𝜕𝑥 and 𝜕𝑥 = 𝜕𝑥 = 𝜕𝑥𝜕𝑦
𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦

𝜕2𝑓
Since 𝑀 and 𝑁 have continuous partial derivatives in 𝑅; 𝜕𝑦𝜕𝑥
𝜕2𝑓 𝜕2𝑓 𝜕2𝑓
and 𝜕𝑥𝜕𝑦 are continuous in 𝑅. Therefore, 𝜕𝑦𝜕𝑥 = 𝜕𝑥𝜕𝑦 in 𝑅

𝜕𝑀 𝜕𝑁
⟹ = in 𝑅. Thus, the condition is necessary.
𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑥
(ii) We will now show that the condition is sufficient. Suppose
𝑥 𝑥
𝜕𝑀 𝜕𝑁
that 𝜕𝑦
= 𝜕𝑥
in 𝑅. Define 𝑢 𝑥, 𝑦 =  𝑀 𝑑𝑥 , where  𝑀 𝑑𝑥
denotes, the integration w.r.t 𝑥 treating 𝑦 as constant.
𝑥
𝜕𝑢 𝜕 𝜕𝑁 𝜕𝑀 𝜕 𝜕𝑢 𝜕2𝑢
Now, 𝜕𝑥 = 𝜕𝑥  𝑀 𝑑𝑥 = 𝑀 and 𝜕𝑥
= 𝜕𝑦
= 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑥
= 𝜕𝑦𝜕𝑥
in 𝑅.
(Since 𝑀 has continuous partial derivatives of first order in 𝑅;
𝑢𝑥𝑥 and 𝑢𝑦𝑥 are continuous in 𝑅. By a theorem in advanced
calculus 𝑢𝑦𝑥 = 𝑢𝑥𝑦 in 𝑅)
𝜕𝑁 𝜕2𝑢 𝜕2𝑢 𝜕 𝜕𝑢
⟹ = 𝜕𝑦𝜕𝑥 = 𝜕𝑦𝜕𝑥 in 𝑅 =
𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦

Integrating w.r.t 𝑥 treating 𝑦 as constant, we get

𝜕𝑢 𝜕𝑢
𝑁 = 𝜕𝑦 + 𝐶 = 𝜕𝑦 + ∅(𝑦)

(Since the arbitrary constant may be any function of 𝑦 alone)

𝜕𝑢 𝜕𝑢
Thus, 𝑀 𝑑𝑥 + 𝑁 𝑑𝑦 = 𝜕𝑦 𝑑𝑥 + + ∅(𝑦) 𝑑𝑦
𝜕𝑦

𝜕𝑢 𝜕𝑢
= 𝜕𝑦 𝑑𝑥 + 𝜕𝑦 𝑑𝑦 + ∅(𝑦)𝑑𝑦 = 𝑑𝑢 + ∅(𝑦)𝑑𝑦 = 𝑑 𝑢 + ∅(𝑦) 𝑑𝑦

Thus, there is a function 𝑓 𝑥, 𝑦 = 𝑢 + ∅(𝑦) 𝑑𝑦 such that

𝑑𝑓 = 𝑀𝑑𝑥 + 𝑁𝑑𝑦. Therefore, the differential equation
𝑀𝑑𝑥 + 𝑁𝑑𝑦 = 0 is exact. Hence the theorem
The general solution of the differential equation 𝑴𝒅𝒙 + 𝑵𝒅𝒚 = 𝟎
when exact:
In the above theorem we have found a function 𝑓(𝑥, 𝑦) such
that 𝑑 𝑓 𝑥, 𝑦 = 𝑀𝑑𝑥 + 𝑁𝑑𝑥
The general solution of the differential equation 𝑀𝑑𝑥 + 𝑁𝑑𝑦 = 0
is 𝑓 𝑥, 𝑦 = 𝐶, where 𝐶 is an arbitrary constant, where
𝑥
𝜕𝑢
𝑓 𝑥, 𝑦 = 𝑢 + ∅(𝑦) 𝑑𝑦 =  𝑀 𝑑𝑥 + 𝑁 − 𝜕𝑦 𝑑𝑦

Thus, the general solution of 𝑴𝒅𝒙 + 𝑵𝒅𝒚 = 𝟎 is given by

𝒙 𝒙
𝝏𝒖
 𝑴 𝒅𝒙 + 𝑵 − 𝝏𝒚 𝒅𝒚 = 𝑪 , where 𝒖 =  𝑴 𝒅𝒙

We can carry out the integration in the above equation as

follows:
First integrate 𝑀(𝑥, 𝑦) w.r.t 𝑥 treating 𝑦 as constant, integrate
those terms in 𝑁(𝑥, 𝑦) which are free from 𝑥 w.r.t 𝑦 and add
these two expressions and equate to an arbitrary constant to
obtain the general solution.

Example 2: Solve
𝑎𝑥 + 𝑕𝑦 + 1 𝑑𝑥 + 𝑕𝑥 + 𝑏𝑦 + 𝑓 𝑑𝑦 = 0
Solution:
The given differential equation is of the form 𝑀𝑑𝑥 + 𝑁𝑑𝑦 = 0,
where 𝑀 = 𝑎𝑥 + 𝑕𝑦 + 𝑔 and 𝑁 = 𝑕𝑥 + 𝑏𝑦 + 𝑓
𝜕𝑀 𝜕𝑁
Now, =𝑕= . Thus, the given equation is exact.
𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑥
The general solution is given by

 M dx + 𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑚𝑠 𝑖𝑛 𝑁 𝑓𝑟𝑒𝑒 𝑓𝑟𝑜𝑚 𝑥 𝑑𝑦 = 𝐾

treating
as constant 
y

i.e., (𝑎𝑥 + 𝑕𝑦 + 𝑔)𝑑𝑥 + 𝑏𝑦 + 𝑓 𝑑𝑦 = 𝐾

𝑎𝑥 2 𝑏𝑦 2
i.e., + 𝑕𝑥𝑦 + 𝑔𝑥 + + 𝑓𝑦 = 𝐾
2 2

i.e., 𝑎𝑥 2 + 2𝑕𝑥𝑦 + 2𝑏𝑦 2 + 2𝑔𝑥 + 2𝑓𝑦 + 𝐶 = 0, where 𝐶 is an

arbitrary constant.

Integrating factor
Let the differential equation 𝑀 𝑥, 𝑦 𝑑𝑥 + 𝑁 𝑥, 𝑦 𝑑𝑦 = 0 be not
exact. If it can be made exact by multiplying it by a suitable
function 𝜇(𝑥, 𝑦) ≠ 0 then 𝜇(𝑥, 𝑦) is called an integrating factor
(I.F.)

Methods of finding integrating factors

Now, we present some methods for finding an integrating
factor for a non exact differential equation given by
𝑀𝑑𝑥 + 𝑁𝑑𝑦 = 0

Method-1: To find an integrating factor (I.F.) by inspection

Sometimes an I.F. can be found by inspection.
Example 3: Solve
𝑦𝑑𝑥 − 𝑥𝑑𝑦 = 0
Solution:
The given equation is of the form 𝑀𝑑𝑥 + 𝑁𝑑𝑦 = 0, where
𝜕𝑀 𝜕𝑁
𝑀 = 𝑦 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑁 = −𝑥. Now, =1 ; = −1, and so
𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑥
𝜕𝑀 𝜕𝑁
≠ . Thus, the given differential equation 1 is not exact .
𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑥
1
By inspection, we notice that if we multiply 𝑦𝑑𝑥 − 𝑥𝑑𝑦, by 𝑦2
𝑥 1
then it is 𝑑 . Thus, is an I.F. Multiplying the given
𝑦 𝑦2
1
differential equation by 𝑦 2 , we get

𝑦𝑑𝑥 −𝑥𝑑𝑦 𝑥
=0⟹𝑑 =0
𝑦2 𝑦
𝑥
Integrating, we get = 𝐶 , where 𝐶 is an arbitrary constant
𝑦
and it is the general solution of the given differential equation.

Note:
𝑥 𝑦𝑑𝑥 −𝑥𝑑𝑦 𝑥 𝑦𝑑𝑥 −𝑥𝑑𝑦
1) Notice that 𝑑 log = and 𝑑 tan−1 =
𝑦 𝑥𝑦 𝑦 𝑥 2 +𝑦 2

1 1
Thus, 𝑥𝑦 and are also integrating factors.
𝑥 2 +𝑦 2

2) A first order differential equation 𝑀𝑑𝑥 + 𝑁𝑑𝑦 = 0 can admit

more than one integrating factors.
Example 4: Solve
1 + 𝑥𝑦 𝑦𝑑𝑥 + 𝑥 1 − 𝑥𝑦 𝑑𝑦 = 0
Solution:
The given equation is the form of 𝑀𝑑𝑥 + 𝑁𝑑𝑦 = 0,where
𝑀 = 1 + 𝑥𝑦 𝑦 = 𝑦 + 𝑥𝑦 2 , 𝑁 = 𝑥 − 𝑥 2 𝑦
𝜕𝑀 𝜕𝑁
Now, = 1 + 2𝑥𝑦 ; = 1 − 2𝑥𝑦
𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑦

𝜕𝑀 𝜕𝑁
Clearly, ≠ . Therefore, the given differential equation is
𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑥
not exact. Rewrite the equation as
𝑦𝑑𝑥 + 𝑥𝑑𝑦 + 𝑥𝑦 𝑦𝑑𝑥 − 𝑥𝑑𝑦 = 0,
𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑦
i.e., 𝑑 𝑥𝑦 + 𝑥 2 𝑦 2 − =0
𝑥 𝑦

𝑥
i.e., 𝑑 𝑥𝑦 + 𝑥 2 𝑦 2 𝑑 𝑙𝑛 =0
𝑦

1 𝑥 𝑥 1
i.e., 𝑥𝑦 2 𝑑 𝑥𝑦 + 𝑑 𝑙𝑛 = 0, i.e., 𝑑 𝑙𝑛 − 𝑥𝑦 = 0.
𝑦 𝑦

𝑥 1
Integrating, we get 𝑙𝑛 − 𝑥𝑦 = 𝐶.
𝑦

The general solution of the given differential equation 2 is

𝑥 1
𝑙𝑛 − 𝑥𝑦 = 𝐶, where 𝐶 is the arbitrary constant.
𝑦
Remark: By re arranging terms of the given equation and/or
dividing by a suitable function of 𝑥 and 𝑦, the equation so
obtained may contain parts which are integrable. Remembering
the following exact differentials will help while solving by the
inspection method.
𝑥 𝑦𝑑𝑥 −𝑥𝑑𝑦
𝑖 𝑑 𝑥𝑦 = 𝑥𝑑𝑦 + 𝑦𝑑𝑥, 𝑖𝑖 𝑑 =
𝑦 𝑦2

𝑦 𝑥𝑑𝑦 −𝑦𝑑𝑥 𝑥𝑑𝑦 +𝑦𝑑𝑥

𝑖𝑖𝑖 𝑑 𝑥
= 𝑥2
, 𝑖𝑣 𝑑 𝑙𝑛 𝑥𝑦 = 𝑥𝑦

𝑥 𝑦𝑑𝑥 −𝑥𝑑𝑦 1 2 2 𝑥𝑑𝑥 +𝑦𝑑𝑦

𝑣 𝑑 𝑙𝑛 = , 𝑣𝑖 𝑑 𝑙𝑛 𝑥 + 𝑦 =
𝑦 𝑥𝑦 2 𝑥 2 +𝑦 2

−1 𝑥 𝑦𝑑𝑥 −𝑥𝑑𝑦 𝑒𝑥 𝑦𝑒 𝑥 𝑑𝑥 −𝑒 𝑥 𝑑𝑦
𝑣𝑖𝑖 𝑑 tan = , 𝑣𝑖𝑖𝑖 𝑑 =
𝑦 𝑥 2 +𝑦 2 𝑦 𝑦2

𝑥𝑑𝑦 +𝑦𝑑𝑥
𝑖𝑥 𝑑 sin−1 𝑥𝑦 =
1−𝑥 2 𝑦 2

Method 2:
If 𝑀 𝑥, 𝑦 𝑑𝑥 + 𝑁 𝑥, 𝑦 𝑑𝑦 = 0 is a homogeneous differential
equation (i.e. ,𝑀(𝑥, 𝑦)𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑁(𝑥, 𝑦) are homogeneous functions
1
the same degree) and 𝑀𝑥 + 𝑁𝑦 ≠ 0 then is an
𝑀𝑥 +𝑁𝑦
integrating factor.

Example 5: Solve
𝑥 2 𝑦 − 2𝑥𝑦 2 𝑑𝑥 − 𝑥 3 − 3𝑥 2 𝑦 𝑑𝑦 = 0
Solution:
The given equation is of the form 𝑀𝑑𝑥 + 𝑁𝑑𝑦 = 0,where
𝑀 = 𝑥 2 𝑦 − 2𝑥𝑦 2 , 𝑁 = −𝑥 3 + 3𝑥 2 𝑦
𝜕𝑀 𝜕𝑁
Now, = 𝑥 2 − 4𝑥𝑦 ; = −3𝑥 2 + 6𝑥𝑦.
𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑥

𝜕𝑀 𝜕𝑁
Clearly, ≠ . Therefore, the given differential equation is
𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑥
not exact and we look for an I.F. Notice that 𝑀 and 𝑁 are
homogeneous functions of the same degree 3 and
𝑀𝑥 + 𝑁𝑦 = 𝑥 𝑥 2 𝑦 − 2𝑥𝑦 2 + 𝑦 −𝑥 3 + 3𝑥 2 𝑦 = 𝑥 2 𝑦 2 ≠ 0
1 1
Therefore, 𝑀𝑥 +𝑁𝑦 = 𝑥 2 𝑦 2 is an integrating factor, multiplying
the given equation by the I.F. we get
1 2 −𝑥 3
− 𝑥 𝑑𝑥 + + 𝑦 𝑑𝑦 = 0
𝑦 𝑦2

This is of the form 𝑀1 𝑑𝑥 + 𝑁1 𝑑𝑦 = 0 and it is exact. The

general solution is given by

 M dx    termsin N1 free from x  dy  C

treating
as constant 
y

1 2
 
3 x
i.e.,    dx  dy  ln C   2lnx  3lny  lnC
 y x y y
−𝑥 −𝑥
𝑦3 3 2
𝑖. 𝑒. , 𝑥 2 = 𝑐. 𝑒 , 𝑖. 𝑒. , 𝑦 = 𝑐𝑥 𝑒
𝑦 𝑦 , where 𝐶 is the arbitrary
constant
Method 3:
If the differential equation of 𝑀 𝑥, 𝑦 𝑑𝑥 + 𝑁 𝑥, 𝑦 𝑑𝑦 = 0 is of
the form 𝑦𝑓 𝑥𝑦 𝑑𝑥 + 𝑥𝑔 𝑥𝑦 𝑑𝑦 = 0 and 𝑀𝑥 − 𝑁𝑦 ≠ 0 then
1
is an I.F.
𝑀𝑥 −𝑁𝑦

Example 6: Solve
𝑥 3 𝑦 4 + 𝑥 2 𝑦 3 + 𝑥𝑦 2 + 𝑦 𝑑𝑥 + 𝑥 4 𝑦 3 − 𝑥 3 𝑦 2 − 𝑥 2 𝑦 + 𝑥 𝑑𝑦 = 0
Solution:
The given differential equation is of the form 𝑀𝑑𝑥 + 𝑁𝑑𝑦 = 0
where 𝑀 = 𝑥 3 𝑦 4 + 𝑥 2 𝑦 3 + 𝑥𝑦 2 + 𝑦,
𝑁 = 𝑥4𝑦3 − 𝑥3𝑦2 − 𝑥2𝑦 + 𝑥
𝜕𝑀
Now, = 4𝑥 3 𝑦 3 + 3𝑥 2 𝑦 2 + 2𝑥𝑦 + 1, and
𝜕𝑦

𝜕𝑁
= 4𝑥 3 𝑦 3 − 3𝑥 2 𝑦 2 − 2𝑥𝑦 + 1
𝜕𝑦

𝜕𝑀 𝜕𝑁
Clearly, ≠ .Therefore, the given differential equation is
𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑦
not exact and we look up for an I.F. The given differential
equation can be written as 𝑦𝑓 𝑥𝑦 𝑑𝑥 + 𝑥𝑔 𝑥𝑦 𝑑𝑦 = 0 ,
where 𝑓 𝑥𝑦 = 𝑥 3 𝑦 3 + 𝑥 2 𝑦 2 + 𝑥𝑦 + 1 ,
𝑔 𝑥𝑦 = 𝑥 3 𝑦 3 − 𝑥 2 𝑦 2 − 𝑥𝑦 + 1,
Notice that
𝑀𝑥 − 𝑁𝑦 = 𝑥𝑦 𝑓 𝑥𝑦 − 𝑔(𝑥𝑦) = 2𝑥 2 𝑦 2 𝑥𝑦 + 1 ≠ 0
 1 1
Therefore, 𝑀𝑥 −𝑁𝑦 = 2𝑥 2 𝑦 2 is an integrating factor.
𝑥𝑦 +1

Multiplying the given differential equation by this I.F, we get

𝑥 3 𝑦 3 +𝑥 2 𝑦 2 +𝑥𝑦 +1 𝑥 3 𝑦 3 −𝑥 2 𝑦 2 −𝑥𝑦 +1
𝑦𝑑𝑥 + 𝑥𝑑𝑥 = 0
2𝑥 2 𝑦 2 𝑥𝑦 +1 2𝑥 2 𝑦 2 𝑥𝑦 +1

𝑥 2 𝑦 2 +1 𝑥𝑦 +1 𝑥 2 𝑦 2 −𝑥𝑦 +1 −𝑥𝑦 𝑥𝑦 +1
⟹ 𝑦𝑑𝑥 + . 𝑥𝑑𝑥 = 0
2𝑥 2 𝑦 2 2𝑥 2 𝑦 2 𝑥𝑦 +1

𝑥 2 𝑦 2 +1 𝑥 2 𝑦 2 −2𝑥𝑦 +1
⟹ 𝑦𝑑𝑥 + 𝑥𝑑𝑥 = 0
𝑥 2𝑦 2 𝑥 2𝑦 2

1 2 1
⟹ 𝑦 + 𝑥 2 𝑦 𝑑𝑥 + 𝑥 − 𝑦 + 𝑥 2 𝑦 2 𝑑𝑥 = 0

This is of the form 𝑀1 𝑑𝑥 + 𝑁1 𝑑𝑦 = 0 and is exact.

The general Solution is given by

 M dx    termsin N1 free from x  dy  C

treating
as constant 
y

 1   2 
 
1
i.e.,  y  2 dx    2 dy  C  xy   2lny  C ,
 x y  y  xy
where 𝐶 is any arbitrary constant.

Method 4:
1 𝜕𝑀 𝜕𝑁 𝑓(𝑥)𝑑𝑥
If 𝑁 − 𝜕𝑥 is a function of 𝑥 alone say 𝑓(𝑥), then 𝑒 is
𝜕𝑦
an integrating factor of the differential equation
𝑀 𝑥, 𝑦 𝑑𝑥 + 𝑁 𝑥, 𝑦 𝑑𝑦 = 0.
Example 7: Solve
1
2
𝑥𝑦 − 𝑒 𝑥3 𝑑𝑥 − 𝑥 2 𝑦𝑑𝑦 = 0.

Solution:
1
2
It is of the form 𝑀𝑑𝑥 + 𝑁𝑑𝑦 = 0, where 𝑀 = 𝑥𝑦 − 𝑒 𝑥3 ,
𝜕𝑀 𝜕𝑁
𝑁 = −𝑥 2 𝑦. Now, = 2𝑥𝑦 , 𝜕𝑥 = −2𝑥𝑦.
𝜕𝑦

𝜕𝑀 𝜕𝑁
Clearly, 𝜕𝑦 ≠ 𝜕𝑥 . Therefore, the given differential equation is
not exact. We look for an I.F.
1 𝜕𝑀 𝜕𝑁 4𝑥𝑦 4
Notice that 𝑁 − 𝜕𝑥 = −𝑥 2 𝑦 = − 𝑥 = 𝑓 𝑥 (say)
𝜕𝑦
4
𝑓 𝑥 𝑑𝑥 − 𝑑𝑥 1
Therefore, 𝐼. 𝐹 = 𝑒 =𝑒 𝑥 = 𝑒 −4 log 𝑥 = 𝑥 4 .

Multiplying the given differential equation by the I.F, we get

1 1
1 1 𝑦2 1 𝑦
𝑥𝑦 2 − 𝑒 𝑥 3 𝑑𝑥 − 2
4 𝑥 𝑦𝑑𝑦 = 0 ⇒ 3 − 4𝑒
𝑥 3 𝑑𝑥 − 𝑑𝑦 = 0
𝑥4 𝑥 𝑥 𝑥 𝑥2

It is of the form 𝑀1 𝑑𝑥 + 𝑁1 𝑑𝑦 = 0 and it is exact.

The general solution is given by

 M dx    termsin N1 free from x  dy  C

treating
as constant 
y

1
𝑦2 1

x
⟹ − 𝑥4 𝑒 𝑥3 𝑑𝑥 + 0 𝑑𝑦 = 𝐶
𝑥3
 𝑦2 1 1
⟹ − 2𝑥 2 − 𝑒 𝑡 − 3 𝑑𝑡 = 𝐶 , where 𝑡 = 𝑥 3
1
𝑦2 𝑒𝑥3
⟹ − 2𝑥 2 + = 𝐶 , where 𝐶 is an arbitrary constant.
3

Method 5:
1 𝜕𝑁 𝜕𝑀
If 𝑀 − is a function of 𝑦 alone say 𝑔 𝑦 , then
𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦
𝑔 𝑦 𝑑𝑦
𝑒 is an I.F of the differential equation 𝑀𝑑𝑥 + 𝑁𝑑𝑦 = 0.

Example 8: Solve
𝑥𝑦 3 + 𝑦 𝑑𝑥 + 2 𝑥 2 𝑦 2 + 𝑥 + 𝑦 4 𝑑𝑦 = 0.
Solution:
It is of the form 𝑀𝑑𝑥 + 𝑁𝑑𝑦 = 0, where 𝑀 = 𝑥𝑦 3 + 𝑦,
𝜕𝑀 𝜕𝑁
𝑁 = 𝑥 2 𝑦 2 + 𝑥 + 𝑦 4 . Now, = 3𝑥𝑦 2 + 1 , 𝜕𝑥 = 4𝑥𝑦 2 + 2
𝜕𝑦

𝜕𝑀 𝜕𝑁
Clearly, 𝜕𝑦
≠ 𝜕𝑥
. Therefore, the given differential equation is
not exact. We look for an I.F. Notice that
1 𝜕𝑁 𝜕𝑀 4𝑥𝑦 2 +2−3𝑥𝑦 2 −1 𝑥𝑦 2 +1 1
− = = = = 𝑔 𝑦 (say)
𝑀 𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦 𝑥𝑦 3 +𝑦 𝑦 𝑥𝑦 2 +1 𝑦
1
𝑔 𝑦 𝑑𝑦 𝑑𝑦
Therefore, 𝐼. 𝐹 = 𝑒 =𝑒 𝑦 = 𝑒 log 𝑦 = 𝑦
Multiplying the given differential equation by the I.F, we get
𝑥𝑦 4 + 𝑦 2 𝑑𝑥 + 2 𝑥 2 𝑦 3 + 𝑥𝑦 + 𝑦 5 𝑑𝑦 = 0
It is of the form 𝑀1 𝑑𝑥 + 𝑁1 𝑑𝑦 = 0 and it is exact.
𝑥 2𝑦 4
 
x x
4 2
Let, 𝑢 = 𝑀1 𝑑𝑥 = 𝑥𝑦 + 𝑦 𝑑𝑥 = + 𝑥𝑦 2 and
2

𝜕𝑢
∅ 𝑦 = 𝑁1 − 𝜕𝑦 = 2𝑥 2 𝑦 3 + 2𝑥𝑦 + 2𝑦 5 − 2𝑥 2 𝑦 3 − 2𝑥𝑦 = 2𝑦 5

The general solution is given by 𝑢 + ∅ 𝑦 𝑑𝑦 = 𝐾

𝑥 2𝑦 4 2 5 𝑥 2𝑦 4 2 𝑦6
⟹ + 𝑥𝑦 + 2𝑦 𝑑𝑦 = 𝐾 ⟹ + 𝑥𝑦 + =𝐾
2 2 3

⟹ 3𝑥 2 𝑦 4 + 6𝑥𝑦 2 + 2𝑦 6 = 𝐶, where 𝐶 is an arbitrary constant

Method 6
If the given differential equation 𝑀𝑑𝑥 + 𝑁𝑑𝑦 = 0 is not exact
and can be put in the form

𝑥 𝑎 𝑦 𝑏 (𝑚𝑦 𝑑𝑥 + 𝑛𝑥 𝑑𝑦) + 𝑥 𝑐 𝑦 𝑑 (𝑝𝑦 𝑑𝑥 + 𝑞𝑥 𝑑𝑦) = 0

where 𝑎, 𝑏, 𝑐, 𝑑, 𝑚, 𝑛, 𝑝, 𝑞 are all constants, then the equation
has an I.F. 𝑥 𝑕 𝑦 𝑘 , where 𝑕, 𝑘 are so chosen that after
multiplying by 𝑥 𝑕 𝑦 𝑘 , the equation is exact.

Example 9: Solve
(3𝑥 + 2𝑦 2 )𝑦𝑑𝑥 + 2𝑥(2𝑥 + 3𝑦 2 )𝑑𝑦 = 0
Solution:
It is of the form 𝑀𝑑𝑥 + 𝑁𝑑𝑦 = 0, where = 3𝑥𝑦 + 2𝑦 3 ,
𝑁 = 4𝑥 2 + 6𝑥𝑦 2
 𝜕𝑀 𝜕𝑁 𝜕𝑀 𝜕𝑁
Now, = 3𝑥 + 6𝑦 2
, 𝜕𝑥 = 8𝑥 + 12𝑥𝑦. Clearly, 𝜕𝑦 ≠ 𝜕𝑥 .
𝜕𝑦
Therefore , the given differential equation is not exact.
The given equation can be put in the form
𝑥 3𝑦 𝑑𝑥 + 4𝑥 𝑑𝑦 + 𝑦 2 2𝑥 𝑑𝑥 + 6𝑥 𝑑𝑦 = 0
Let 𝑥 𝑕 𝑦 𝑘 be an I.F. Multiply the given equation by 𝑥 𝑕 𝑦 𝑘 , we get,

3𝑥 𝑕+1 𝑦 𝑘+1 + 2𝑥 𝑕 𝑦 𝑘+3 𝑑𝑥 + 4𝑥 𝑕+2 𝑦 𝑘 + 6𝑥 𝑕+1 𝑦 𝑘+2 𝑑𝑦 = 0

If this is exact, then we must have,
𝜕 𝜕
3𝑥 𝑕+1 𝑦 𝑘+1 + 2𝑥 𝑕 𝑦 𝑘+3 = 𝜕𝑥 4𝑥 𝑕+2 𝑦 𝑘 + 6𝑥 𝑕+1 𝑦 𝑘+2
𝜕𝑦

⟹ 3 𝑘 + 1 𝑥 𝑕+1 𝑦 𝑘 + 2 𝑘 + 3 𝑥 𝑕 𝑦 𝑘+2
= 4 𝑕 + 2 𝑥 𝑕+1 𝑦 𝑘 + 6(𝑕 + 1)𝑥 𝑕 𝑦 𝑘+2
⟹ 3 𝑘 + 1 = 4 𝑕 + 2 𝑎𝑛𝑑 2 𝑘 + 3 = 6(𝑕 + 1)
⟹ 3𝑘 − 4𝑕 ≠ 5, 𝑘 − 3𝑕 = 0
Solving, we get 𝑕 = 1, 𝑘 = 3. Thus 𝑥𝑦 3 is an I.F. Multiplying the
given equation by 𝑥𝑦 3 we get,
3𝑥 2 𝑦 4 + 2𝑥𝑦 6 𝑑𝑥 + 4𝑥 3 𝑦 3 + 6𝑥 2 𝑦 5 𝑑𝑦 = 0
It is of the form 𝑀1 𝑑𝑥 + 𝑁1 𝑑𝑦 = 0 and this is exact. The general
solution is given by
x

 𝑀1 𝑑𝑥 +
 𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑚𝑠 𝑜𝑓 𝑁1 𝑓𝑟𝑒𝑒 𝑓𝑟𝑜𝑚 𝑥 𝑑𝑦 = 𝐶
i.e.,
 3𝑥 2 𝑦 4 + 2𝑥𝑦 6 𝑑𝑥 +
 0 𝑑𝑦 = 𝐶

⟹ 𝑥 3 𝑦 4 + 𝑥 2 𝑦 6 = 𝐶, i.e., 𝑥 2 𝑦 4 𝑥 + 𝑦 2 = 𝐶, where 𝐶 is an
arbitrary constant.

ANNEXURE:
Partial Derivatives
The derivative of a function of several variables w.r.t one of the
independent variables keeping all the other independent
variables as constant is called the partial derivative of the
function w.r.t that variable.
Let 𝑧 = 𝑓 𝑥, 𝑦 be a function of two independent variables 𝑥
and 𝑦 defined in a domain of 𝑥𝑦 − plane. The partial
𝜕𝑓 𝜕𝑓
derivatives of 𝑓 w.r.t 𝑥 and 𝑦 are denoted by 𝜕𝑥 and 𝜕𝑦
respectively and are defined as below:
𝜕𝑓 𝑓 𝑥+∆𝑥,𝑦 −𝑓(𝑥,𝑦) 𝜕𝑓 𝑓 𝑥,𝑦+∆𝑦 −𝑓(𝑥,𝑦)
= lim ; = lim
𝜕𝑥 ∆𝑥→0 ∆𝑥 𝜕𝑦 ∆𝑦→0 ∆𝑦

The total derivative of 𝑓(𝑥, 𝑦) is denoted by 𝑑𝑓 and

𝜕𝑓 𝜕𝑓
𝑑𝑓 = 𝜕𝑥 𝑑𝑥 + 𝜕𝑦 𝑑𝑦

We define the second order partial derivatives as

𝜕2𝑓 𝜕 𝜕𝑓 𝑓𝑥 𝑥+∆𝑥,𝑦 −𝑓𝑥 (𝑥,𝑦)
= 𝜕𝑥 = 𝑓𝑥𝑥 𝑥, 𝑦 = lim
𝜕𝑥 2 𝜕𝑥 ∆𝑥→0 ∆𝑥

𝜕2𝑓 𝜕 𝜕𝑓 𝑓𝑦 𝑥,𝑦+∆𝑦 −𝑓𝑦 (𝑥,𝑦)

𝜕𝑦𝜕𝑥
= 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑥
= 𝑓𝑦𝑥 𝑥, 𝑦 = lim ∆𝑦
∆𝑦→0

(Differentiate partially w.r.t 𝑥 and then w.r.t 𝑦)

𝜕2𝑓 𝜕 𝜕𝑓 𝑓𝑦 𝑥+∆𝑥,𝑦 −𝑓𝑦 (𝑥,𝑦)
= 𝜕𝑥 = 𝑓𝑥𝑦 𝑥, 𝑦 = lim
𝜕𝑥𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑦 ∆𝑥→0 ∆𝑥

(Differentiate partially w.r.t 𝑦 and then w.r.t 𝑥)

𝜕2𝑓 𝜕 𝜕𝑓 𝑓𝑦 𝑥,𝑦+∆𝑦 −𝑓𝑦 (𝑥,𝑦)
𝜕𝑦 2
= 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑦
= 𝑓𝑦𝑦 𝑥, 𝑦 = lim ∆𝑦
∆𝑦→0
if the limits exists.

Note: If 𝑓𝑥𝑦 and 𝑓𝑦𝑥 are continuous at the point 𝑃(𝑎, 𝑏) then
at this point 𝑓𝑥𝑦 = 𝑓𝑦𝑥 . That is, the order of the differentiation
is immaterial in this case.

Example:
𝑦
Let 𝑓 𝑥, 𝑦 = ln 𝑥 2 + 𝑦 2 + 𝑡𝑎𝑛−1 , 𝑥, 𝑦 ≠ 0,0
𝑥

To get 𝑓𝑥 differentiate 𝑓 w.r.t 𝑥 keeping 𝑦 as constant.

2𝑥 1 𝑦 2𝑥−𝑦
𝑓𝑥 𝑥, 𝑦 = 𝑥 2 +𝑦 2 + 𝑦 2
− 𝑥 2 = 𝑥 2 +𝑦 2
1+
𝑥

To get 𝑓𝑦 differentiate 𝑓 w.r.t 𝑦 keeping 𝑥 as constant

2𝑦 1 1 2𝑦 +𝑥
𝑓𝑦 𝑥, 𝑦 = 𝑥 2 +𝑦 2 + 𝑦 2
= 𝑥 2 +𝑦 2
1+ 𝑥
𝑥
 𝜕 𝜕 2𝑥−𝑦 𝑥 2 +𝑦 2 −1 − 2𝑥−𝑦 2𝑦
𝑓𝑦𝑥 𝑥, 𝑦 = 𝜕𝑦 𝑓𝑥 = 𝜕𝑦 =
𝑥 2 +𝑦 2 𝑥 2 +𝑦 2 2

𝑦 2 −𝑥 2 −4𝑥𝑦
= 𝑥 2 +𝑦 2 2

𝜕 𝜕 2𝑦+𝑥 𝑥 2 +𝑦 2 1− 2𝑦+𝑥 2𝑥
𝑓𝑥𝑦 𝑥, 𝑦 = 𝜕𝑥 𝑓𝑦 = 𝜕𝑥 =
𝑥 2 +𝑦 2 𝑥 2 +𝑦 2 2

𝑦 2 −𝑥 2 −4𝑥𝑦
=
𝑥 2 +𝑦 2 2

𝜕 𝜕 2𝑥−𝑦 𝑥 2 +𝑦 2 2− 2𝑥−𝑦 2𝑥
𝑓𝑥𝑥 𝑥, 𝑦 = 𝜕𝑥 𝑓𝑥 = 𝜕𝑥 =
𝑥 2 +𝑦 2 𝑥 2 +𝑦 2 2

2𝑦 2 −2𝑥 2 +2𝑥𝑦
= 𝑥 2 +𝑦 2 2

𝜕 𝜕 2𝑦+𝑥 𝑥 2 +𝑦 2 2− 2𝑦 +𝑥 2𝑦
𝑓𝑦𝑦 𝑥, 𝑦 = 𝜕𝑦 𝑓𝑦 = 𝜕𝑦 =
𝑥 2 +𝑦 2 𝑥 2 +𝑦 2 2

2𝑥 2 −2𝑦 2 −2𝑥𝑦
= 𝑥 2 +𝑦 2 2

Notice that 𝑓𝑥𝑦 = 𝑓𝑦𝑥 . The total derivative

𝜕𝑓 𝜕𝑓 2𝑥−𝑦 2𝑦 +𝑥
𝑑𝑓 = 𝜕𝑥 𝑑𝑥 + 𝜕𝑦 𝑑𝑦 = 2 𝑑𝑥 + 𝑑𝑦
𝑥 2 +𝑦 2 𝑥 2 +𝑦 2 2