Dr.

Satish Shukla 1 of 13

Engg. Math. I (Unit-V)

Differential Equations

Syllabus. Formation of Differential Equations, Solution of differential equation

of first order and first degree: Separation of variables, Homogeneous equation,
reducible to homogeneous equations, linear equation, reducible to linear equa-
tions.

Ordinary differential equations. A differential equation is an equation which involves

differential coefficients or differentials. An ordinary differential equation is that in
which all the differential coefficients have references to a single independent variable.
A partial differential equation is that in which there are two or more independent vari-
ables and partial differential coefficient with respect to any of them.
The order of differential equation. It is defined as the order of the highest order
derivative of the dependent variable with respect to the independent variable involved
in the given differential equation.
Degree of a differential equation. By the degree of a differential equation, when it
is a polynomial equation in derivatives, we mean the highest power (positive integral
index) of the highest order derivative involved in the given differential equation.

Differential equations. A differential equation is an equation involving differential

coefficients or differentials. For example, the following equations are the examples of
differential equations:

(a) ex dx + ey dy = 0;
dy
(b) y = x dx ;
3/2
d2 y

dy
(c) +2 = 5 dx + y;
dx2
∂ 2z ∂ 2z
(d) + = 0.
∂x2 ∂y 2
Ordinary differential equations. A differential equation containing the differential co-
efficients with respect to a single independent variable is called an ordinary differential
equation. For example, (i), (ii) and (iii) are ordinary differential equations but not
(iv). In this course, we deal with ordinary differential equations only.
Order and degree of differential equations. The order of highest derivative appearing
in a differential equation is called the order of the differential equations. The order
of the differential equations (i), (ii) and (iii) are 1,1 and 2 respectively. The degree
of a differential equation is the degree of the highest derivative appearing in it, after
the equation has been expressed in a form free form radicals and fractions as far as
the derivatives are concerned. For example, the degree of differential equation y =
 2 3/2
dy x dy dy
x dx + is 2, while the degree of the differential equation +2 = 5 dx +y
dy/dx dx2
is 3.
Formation of differential equations. A differential equation is formed when we elim-
inate the parameter of a family of curves with the help of derivatives and obtain a
relation between the variables and derivatives.
Dr. Satish Shukla 2 of 13

Homework (Assignment)

(Q.1) Form the differential equation of the simple harmonic motion for the family of
cosine waves x = a cos(nt + α). What is the degree and order of this differential
equation.
d2 x
Ans: 2 + n2 x = 0. Order is 2 and degree is 1.
dt
(Q.2) Obtain the differential equation of all circles of radius a and the centre (h, k).
What is the degree and order of this differential equation.
h
i3/2
dy 2
1 + dx
Ans: = a. Order and degree both are equal to 2.
d2 y
dx2
(Q.3) Obtain the differential equation of the coaxial circles of of the system x2 + y 2 +
2ax + c2 = 0, where c is a constant and a is the parameter of the family. What
is the degree and order of this differential equation.
dy
Ans: 2xy dx
= y 2 − x2 + c2 . Order and degree both are equal to 1.

(Q.4) Form the differential equation of the family of curves given by: y = c1 cos 2x +
c2 sin 2x. What is the degree and order of this differential equation.
d2 y
Ans: + 4y = 0. Order is 2 and degree is 1.
dx2
(Q.5) Form the differential equation of the family of curves given by the equation:
y = ex (A cos x + B sin x). What is the degree and order of this differential
equation.
d2 y dy
Ans: − 2 dx + 2y = 0. Order is 2 and degree is 1.
dx2

First order linear differential equations.

A first order ordinary differential equation is of the following form:

 
dy
φ , y, x = 0. (1)
dx

Case I. If (1) can be written in the following form:

dy
= ψ(x, y).
dx
Then, the available techniques to solve such equations are:

(i) Variable superable form:

(a) In this form ψ can be factorised in the form ψ(x, y) = ϕ(x)υ(y). Now equation
can be solved by separating variables.
(b) If ψ cannot be factorised, but is in the form ψ(x, y) = f (ax + by + c), then
such equations can be solved by substituting v = ax + by + c.
Dr. Satish Shukla 3 of 13

(ii) Homogeneous differential equation:

f (x, y)
(a) If ψ cannot be factorised, but ψ(x, y) = , where f and g homogeneous
g(x, y)
functions in x and y of same degree. Such equations can be solved by the
substitution y = vx.
(b) Differential equation reducible into homogeneous form: It is the following
form:
dy a1 x + b 1 y + c 1 a1 b1
= , 6= .
dx a2 x + b 2 y + c 2 a2 b2
Such equations can be reduced into variable separable form by substituting
x = X + h, y = Y + k, where h, k are the constants. While, in case of aa21 = bb12 ,
such equations can be solved by the substitution ax + by = v.
(iii) Leibnitz’s linear differential equations:
(a) If differential equation is not in the previous forms, but an be expressed in the
form dφ(y)
dx
+ P φ(y) = Q, where P and Q are the functions of x only. Then,
such a form is called the linear differential equation in φ(y). Its solution is
given by Z
φ(y) × I.F. = C + (Q × I.F.)dx
R
where the integrating factor I.F. = e P dx .
(b) Sometimes the equation cannot be reduced in the equation linear in φ(y), but
linear in φ(x), i.e., the equation is reduced in the form dφ(x)
dy
+ P φ(x) = Q,
where P and Q are the functions of y only. Then, such equation is solved
with same process, as used, in previous case, only, the roles of x and y are
changed.
(c) Bernoulli’s differential equations. It is the equation of the following form:
dy
+ P y = Qy n
dx
where P an Q are the function of only x and n 6= 1 (because for n = 1
equation reduces into variable separable form). Such equations can be solved
by dividing equation by y n , then substituting y 1−n = v.
Examples on Variable Separable form

dy
Example 1. Solve: (i) 3ex tan y dx+(1−ex ) sec2 y dy = 0 (ii) = 1+x+y+xy.
dx

Sol. (i) Given equation can be written as:

3ex sec2 y
dx = − dy.
1 − ex tan y
It is variable separable form, therefore, integrating the above equation we get
ex sec2 y
Z Z
3 dx = − dy
1 − ex tan y
ex sec2 y
Z Z
=⇒ 3 dx = − dy
ex − 1 tan y
=⇒ 3 ln (ex − 1) = ln (tan y) + ln C
=⇒ (ex − 1)3 = C tan y.
Dr. Satish Shukla 4 of 13

(ii) From given equation we have:

dy
= 1 + x + y + xy
dx
dy
=⇒ = (1 + x) + y(1 + x)
dx
dy
=⇒ = (1 + x)(1 + y)
dx
dy dx
=⇒ = .
1+x 1+y

dy dy
Example 2. Solve: (i) = (4x + y + 1)2 (ii) = cos(x + y) + sin(x + y).
dx dx
dy
Sol. (i) given differential equation is: = (4x + y + 1)2 , which is of the form
dx
dy dy dv
= f (ax + by + c). Therefore, putting 4x + y + 1 = v we have 4 + = , i.e.,
dx dx dx
dy dv
= − 4. Putting these values in the given equation, we get
dx dx
dv dv
= 4 + v 2 =⇒ 2 = dx.
dx v +4
Integrating, we get
 
1 −1 v
 
−1 4x + y + 1
tan = x + C =⇒ tan = 2(x + C).
2 2 2
dy
(ii) given differential equation is: = cos(x + y) + sin(x + y), which is of the form
dx
dy dy dv
= f (ax + by + c). Therefore, putting x + y = v we have = − 1. Putting
dx dx dx
these values in the given equation, we get
dy dv
= 1 + cos v + sin v =⇒ = dx.
dx 1 + cos v + sin v
Integrating, we get
dv
Z Z
= dx + C.
1 + cos v + sin v
Since
v
2 tan v2 1 + tan v2




1 − tan2 2

1 + cos v + sin v = 1 + v
+
=2
.
1 + tan2 2
1 + tan2 v2 sec2 v2

We have
sec2 v2 dv


1
Z Z

= dx + C
2 1 + tan v2
h  v i
=⇒ ln 1 + tan = x+C
  2
x+y
=⇒ ln 1 + tan = x+C
2
Dr. Satish Shukla 5 of 13

Examples on Homogeneous differential equation

p
Example 3. Solve: (i) xdy − ydx = x2 + y 2 dx. (ii) x(x − y)dy + y 2 dx = 0.

Sol. (i) Given equation can be written as

p
dy y+ x2 + y 2
= .
dx x
dy dv
This is homogeneous differential equation, therefore putting y = vx and = v +x ,
dx dx
we obtain:
√
dv vx + x2 + v 2 x2
v+x =
dx x
dx dv
=⇒ = √ .
x 1 + v2
This is variable separable form, therefore integrating we get
dx dv
Z Z
= √ +C
x 1 + v2
 √ 
=⇒ ln(x) = ln v + 1 + v 2 + ln(c)
 √ 
=⇒ x = c v + 1 + v2
 p 
2 2 2
=⇒ x = c y+ x +y .

(ii) Given equation can be written as

dy y2
=− .
dx x(x − y)

dy dv
It is homogeneous differential equation, therefore putting y = vx and = v+x ,
dx dx
we obtain:
dv v 2 x2
v+x = −
dx x(x − vx)
dv v2
=⇒ x = − −v
dx (1 − v)
dx v−1
=⇒ = dv.
x v
It is variable separable form, therefore integrating we get

ln(x) = v − ln(v) + ln(c)

=⇒ vx = cev
=⇒ y = cey/x .

Example 4. Solve: (2x + y + 3)dx = (2y + x + 1)dy.

Dr. Satish Shukla 6 of 13

Sol. (i) Given equation can be written as

dy 2x + y + 3
= . (2)
dx x + 2y + 1
a1 x + b 1 y + c 1
dy a1 2 b1 1
It is the equation of the form dx
= . Here = 6= = , therefore,
a2 x + b 2 y + c 2 a2 1 b2 2
putting x = X + h, y = Y + k we have dx = dX, dy = dY. The equation (2) reduces
into the following form:
dY 2(X + h) + (Y + k) + 3
=
dX (X + h) + 2(Y + k) + 1
dY 2X + Y + (2h + k + 3)
=⇒ = . (3)
dX X + 2Y + (h + 2k + 1)
Choosing h and k such that

2h + k + 3 = 0
h + 2k + 1 = 0.

On solving we get h = −5/3 and k = 1/3. Now (3) becomes

dY 2X + Y
= .
dX X + 2Y
dY
This equation is homogeneous in X and Y , therefore, putting Y = V X, we get =
dX
dV
V + , and so, we have
dX
dV 2X + V X 2+V
V + = =
dX X + 2V X 1 + 2V

dV 1 2V
=⇒ 2 = + .
dX 1−V2 1−V2
On integrating we obtain:
 
1 1+V
ln − ln(1 − V 2 ) = 2 ln(X) + ln(C)
2 1−V
1+V
=⇒ = C 2 (1 − V 2 )2 X 4
1−V
=⇒ 1 = C 2 X 4 (1 − V )3 (1 + V ).

Putting V = Y /X, X = x − h = x + 5/3 and Y = y − 1/3 the solution will be:

 
4
x+y+ (x − y + 2)3 C 2 = 1.
3

 
x/y

x/y x
Example 5. Solve: 1 + e dx + e 1− dy = 0.
y

Sol. Given equation can be written as:

 
x/y

dx x/y x
1+e = −e 1− .
dy y
Dr. Satish Shukla 7 of 13

dx dv
Putting x = vy and =v+y in the given equation we have
dy dy
dv
(1 + ev ) (v + y ) = −ev (1 − v)
dy
dv
=⇒ v + ev + (1 + ev )y = 0
dy
dv
=⇒ (1 + ev )y = −(v + ev )
dy
1 + ev dy
=⇒ dv = − .
v + ev y
It is the variable separable form, therefore, on integrating we obtain:
ln(v + ev ) + ln(y) = ln(C)
=⇒ ln [(v + ev )y] = ln(C)
=⇒ (v + ev )y = C.
Putting v = x/y the solution will be:
x + yex/y = C.

Exercise (Assignment)

 
dy 2 dy
(Q.1) Solve: y − x =a y + .
dx dx
Ans. Variable separable, y = C(1 − ay)(x + a).
dy
(Q.2) Solve: = ex−y + x2 e−y .
dx
x3
Ans. Variable separable, ey = ex + + C.
3
(Q.3) Solve: (ey + 1) cos x dx + ey sin x dy = 0.
Ans. Variable separable, sin x(ey + 1) = C.
dy
(Q.4) Solve: = cos(x + y + 1).
dx
x+y+1


Hint. Put x + y + 1 = v. Ans. tan 2
= x + c.
(Q.5) Solve: (x + 2y)(dx − dy) = dx + dy.
dy x + 2y − 1
Hint. Write it = and put x + 2y = v
dx x + 2y + 1
Ans. 31 x + 2y + 43 ln(3x + 6y − 1) = x + C.
 

dy y y
(Q.6) Solve: = + sin .
dx x x
Hint. Put xy = v. Ans. cosec xy + cot xy = cx.

dy y−x+1
(Q.7) Solve: = .
dx y+x−5
Hint. Solve as Example 4.
y−2

1 h y−2 2
i
Ans. tan−1 x−3


+ 2 ln 1 + x−3
= − ln(x − 3) + ln(C).
Dr. Satish Shukla 8 of 13

y dy x2 + y 2 − 1
(Q.8) Solve: + = 0.
x dx 2(x2 + y 2 ) + 1
y dy 1 dv
Hint. Put x2 + y 2 = v, and = − 1.
x dx 2x dx
Examples on linear differential equations

dy dy x + y cos x
Example 6. Solve: (i) sec x = y + sin x (ii) =− .
dx dx 1 + sin x

Sol. (i) Given equation can be written as

dy
− (cos x)y = sin x cos x.
dx
It is a linear differential equation in y. Here P = − cos x, Q = sin x cos x. Therefore,
R R
− cos x dx
I.F. = e P dx
=e = e− sin x .

Therefore, the solution of the given equation will be:

Z
y × I.F. = C + Q × I.F. dx
Z
− sin x
=⇒ ye = C+ sin x cos x × e− sin x dx
Z
− sin x
=⇒ ye = C+ t × e−t dx (putting sin x = t)

=⇒ ye− sin x = C − te−t − e−t

=⇒ ye− sin x = C − sin xe− sin x − e− sin x .

(ii) Given equation can be written as

dy cos x x
+ y=− .
dx 1 + sin x 1 + sin x
cos x x
It is a linear differential equation in y. Here P = ,Q=− . Therefore,
1 + sin x 1 + sin x
R R cos x
P dx dx
I.F. = e =e 1+sin x = eln(1+sin x) = 1 + sin x.

Therefore, the solution of the given equation will be:

Z
y × I.F. = C + Q × I.F. dx
x
Z
=⇒ y(1 + sin x) = C − × (1 + sin x) dx
1 + sin x
x2
=⇒ y(1 + sin x) = C − .
2

dy π 
Example 7. Solve: + 2y tan x = sin x, given that y = 0.
dx 3
Dr. Satish Shukla 9 of 13

Sol. Given equation is a linear differential equation in y. Here P = 2 tan x, Q = sin x.

Therefore, R R
I.F. = e P dx = e 2 tan x dx = e2 ln(sec x) = sec2 x.
Therefore, the solution of the given equation will be:
Z
y × I.F. = C + Q × I.F. dx
Z
2
=⇒ y sec x = C + sin x × sec2 x dx

=⇒ y sec2 x = C + sec x.
π  π
Applying the condition y = 0, i.e., putting x = and y = 0 in the above equation
3 3
we get:
0 = 2 + C =⇒ C = −2.
Therefore, solution is:
y sec2 x = −2 + sec x.

p dy
Example 8. Solve: (i) 1 − y 2 dx = (sin−1 y − x)dy. (ii) (y − x) = a2 .
dx

Sol. (i) One can see that the given equation cannot be written in a form so that it is
linear in y. But the equation can be written as

dx 1 sin−1 y
+p x= p .
dy 1 − y2 1 − y2

1 sin−1 y
It is linear in x. Here P = p and Q = p . Therefore
1 − y2 1 − y2

1
Z
p dy
1 − y 2 = esin−1 y .
R
P dy
I.F. = e =e

Therefore, the solution of the given equation will be:

Z
x × I.F. = C + Q × I.F. dy
sin−1 y
Z
−1
=⇒ xesin y
= C+ p sin−1 y dy
1−y 2
Z
sin−1 y
=⇒ xe = C+ tet dt (t = sin−1 y)
−1
=⇒ xesin y = C + tet − et
−1 −1 −1
=⇒ xesin y = C + sin−1 yesin y − esin y
−1
=⇒ x = Ce− sin + sin−1 y − 1.

(ii) One can see that the given equation cannot be written in a form so that it is linear
in y. But the equation can be written as

dx 1 y
+ 2 x = 2.
dy a a
Dr. Satish Shukla 10 of 13

1 y
It is linear in x. Here P = 2
and Q = 2 . Therefore
a a
1
Z
dy
a2 = ey/a2 .
R
P dy
I.F. = e =e
Therefore, the solution of the given equation will be:
Z
x × I.F. = C + Q × I.F. dy
y y/a2
Z
2
=⇒ xey/a = C+ e dy
a2
" 2 2
#
1 ey/a ey/a
Z
2
=⇒ xey/a = C+ 2 y − 1·
a 1/a2 1/a2
2
y/a2 y/a2 ey/a
=⇒ xe = C + ye −
1/a2
2
=⇒ x = Ce−y/a + y − a2 .

dy dy
Example 9. Solve: (i) x + y = x3 y 6 . (ii) + x sin(2y) = x3 cos2 y.
dx dx

Sol. (i) Dividing by xy 6 the given equation we get

dy 1 −5
y −6 + y = x2 .
dx x
dy
It is the Bernoulli’s differential equations, therefore, putting y −5 = v, i.e., y −6 =
dx
1 dv
− i the above equation, we get:
5 dx
dv 5
− v = −5x2 .
dx x
It is linear in v. Here P = − x5 and Q = −5x2 therefore,
R R 5 1
I.F. = e P dx
= e− x
dx
= .
x5
Therefore, the solution will be:
Z
v × I.F. = C + Q × I.F. dx
1 1
Z
2
=⇒ v × = C + −5x × dx
x5 x5
v 5
=⇒ 5 = C + 2 .
x 2x
Putting v = y −5 , the solution of given equation will be:
1 5
=C+ .
x5 y 5 2x2
(ii) Dividing by cos2 y the given equation we get
dy
sec2 y + 2x tan y = x3 .
dx
Dr. Satish Shukla 11 of 13

dy dv
Putting tan y = v, i.e., sec2 y = , the above equation is reduced into the following
dx dx
form:
dv
+ 2xv = x3 .
dx
The above equation is linear in v. Here P = 2x, Q = x3 . Therefore,
2
R R
P dx 2xdx
I.F. = e =e = ex .
The solution will be:
Z
v × I.F. = C + Q × I.F. dx
Z
2 2
=⇒ vex = C+ x3 ex dx
dt
Z
x2
=⇒ ve = C+ tet (t = x2 )
2
2 1
=⇒ vex = C + (et − et )
2
2 1 2 2
=⇒ (tan y)ex = C + (x2 ex − ex ).
2

dy 2 3 dy tan y
Example 10. Solve: (i) (x y + xy) = 1. (ii) − = (1 + x)ex · sec y.
dx dx 1 + x

Sol. (i) Given differential equation cannot be arranged in form of linear or Bernoulli’s
differential equations in which y is dependent variable. But, it can be written as:
dx
− xy = x2 y 3 .
dy
The above equation is of Bernoulli type with x as dependent variable. Therefore,
dividing by x2 we get
dx
x−2 − x−1 y = y 3 .
dy
dx dv
Substituting x−1 = v, i.e., x−2 =− the above equation reduced into the following
dy dy
form:
dv
+ yv = −y 3 .
dy
This equation is linear in v. Here P = y, Q = −y 3 ,
2 /2
R R
P dy ydy
I.F. = e =e = ey
and the solution will be:
Z
v × I.F. = C + Q × I.F. dy
Z
2 /2 2 /2
=⇒ vey = C+ −y 3 ey dy
Z
y 2 /2
=⇒ ve = C+ −2tet dt (t = y 2 /2)
2 /2
=⇒ vey = C + −2[tet − et ]
 2 
2 /2 y y2 /2 y 2 /2
=⇒ vey = C −2 e −e
2
1 2
=⇒ = Ce−y /2 + (2 − y 2 ).
x
Dr. Satish Shukla 12 of 13

(ii) Dividing by sec y the given equation:

dy 1
cos x − sin y = ex (1 + x).
dx 1 + x
dy dv
Substitute sin y = v, i.e., cos y = , the above equation becomes
dx dx
dv 1
− v = ex (1 + x).
dx 1 + x
1
This equation is linear in v. Here P = − , Q = ex (1 + x) and
1+x
1
Z
− dx
R
P dx 1+x 1
I.F. = e =e =
1+x
and the solution will be:
Z
v × I.F. = C + Q × I.F. dx
1 1
Z
=⇒ v = C + ex (1 + x) dx
1+x 1+x
1
=⇒ v = C + ex
1+x
=⇒ sin y = C(1 + x)(1 + x)ex .

Exercise (Assignment)

(Q.1) Solve: cos x dy = (sin x − y)dx.

Hint: Linear in y. Ans. y(sec x + tan x) = sec x + tan x − x + C.
dy 2
(Q.2) Solve: x ln(x) + y = ln(x).
dx x
Hint: Linear in y. Ans. y ln(x) = C − x2 (1 + ln(x)).
dy
(Q.3) Solve: cosh x + y sinh x = 2 cosh2 x sinh x.
dx
Hint: Linear in y. Ans. y cosh x = C + 32 cosh3 x.
dy y
(Q.4) Solve: + = x2 , given y = 1, when x = 1.
dx x
Hint: Linear in y. Ans. xy = 43 + 14 x4 .
dy
(Q.5) Solve: (1 + x2 ) + 2xy − 4x2 = 0, subject to y(0) = 0.
dx
2
Hint: Linear in y. Ans. y(1 + x2 ) = 4x3 .
dy
(Q.6) Solve: x + y = y 2 ln(x).
dx
Hint: Bernoulli’s differential equations, arrange in the standard form, then put
y −1 = v. Ans. y 1 + ln(x) + Cx = 1.


Dr. Satish Shukla 13 of 13

 
y dy
(Q.7) Solve: e +1 = ex .
dx
Hint: Put ey = v. Ans. ex+y = C + 12 e2x .

dy x2 + y 2 + 1
(Q.8) Solve: = .
dx 2xy
dy y 2 1
Hint: Rewrite the equation: 2y − = x + , then put y 2 = v.
dx x x
Ans. y 2 = Cx + x2 − 1.

(Q.9) Solve: y(2xy + ex )dx = ex dy.

dy
Hint: Rewrite the equation: y −2 − y −1 = 2x
ex
, then put y −1 = v.
dx
Ans. ex = Cy + x2 .