First Order Separable Differential Equations

Discipline Course-I
Semester -I
Paper: Mathematical PhysicsI IA
Lesson: First Order Separable Differential Equations
Lesson Developer: Sushil Kumar Singh
College/Department: SGTB Khalsa College, University of Delhi

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 First Order Separable Differential Equations

Table of Contents

Chapter 3: First Order Separable Differential Equations

 Introduction
 3.1 Standard and Differential Form
 3.2 Separable Equations
 3.3 Value Addition

 Summary

 Exercise/ Practice

 Glossary
 References/ Bibliography/ Further Reading

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 First Order Separable Differential Equations

Learning Objectives

After reading this chapter the student will be able to learn

How to represent any general first order Differential equation in a

Standard?
How to represent any general first order Differential equation in a
Differential Form which at times is more useful than the standard form?
This lesson is dedicated to a special form of differential equation called
Separable Equations. There is a huge class of problems in physics where
the separable equations come in handy.

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 First Order Separable Differential Equations

First Order Separable Differential Equations

Differential equations of first order are of special value in science, engineering and social
sciences. They are a link between mathematics and science. They help us understand
curves & trajectories; they allow us to model growth and decay of life forms,
radioactivity, economy and many physical phenomena. Its knowledge is a prerequisite to
understand the basics of physical sciences. Their abundance helps in understanding
almost all forms of Natural Sciences.

3.1 Standard and Differential Form

The general first order differential equation is given by

where and are independent and dependent variables respectively and is of degree
1.
The equation (1) can be solved algebraically for and re-expressed in the Standard
Form as

It is to be noted that not all equations can be written in the standard form. However, the
DE in Standard Form can be written as a quotient of two other functions
and such that

{ }

and since ⁄ this can be re-expressed in the Differential Form as

Examples of Standard and Differential Form

Example 3.1.1 Write the DE

𝒆𝒙 𝒚 𝒆𝟐𝒙 𝒚 𝒔𝒊𝒏𝒙

in standard form.

Solution: We need the form which we obtain by rearranging as

𝑒 𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝑒2
𝑒 𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝑒

Example 3.1.2 Write the DE

𝟑
𝒚′
𝒚 𝒚 𝒔𝒊𝒏 ( )
𝒙

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 First Order Separable Differential Equations

in standard form.

Solution: This DE cannot be solved algebraically for and cannot be written in the
standard form.

Example 3.1.3 Write the Differential form of DE

𝒚 𝒚𝒚 𝟏 𝒙

Solution:
2
2

is the standard form.

+
We choose and having any form such that 2 and so there are
infinitely many different differential forms associated with equation (1).

Let’s try to understand how to construct differential equations in the following

examples;

Example 3.1.4 In a radioactive decay an element 𝒀 decays at a rate proportional

to the amount 𝒚 of the element 𝒀 present. Find the 𝑫𝑬 which represents such a
solution and plot the family of curves obtained from the solution.

Solution: It has been given that the element 𝑌 decays at the rate

𝛼
𝑡
By separating the variable we get
𝛼 𝑡

We can now integrate the equation

∫ 𝛼∫ 𝑡

ln 𝛼 𝑡 𝐶
and write it in the form in the explicit
𝛼𝑡
𝑡 𝐴𝑒
𝛼𝐶
where 𝐴 𝑒 is the arbitrary constant.

But what does 𝐴 represent? We can see that

so 𝐴 represent the initial amount (number) of the radioactive element 𝑌. And what 𝛼
does represent? We can see that at the time 𝑡 𝑇1/2 when the radioactive element has
0 𝐴
reduced to
2 2
𝛼𝑇1/2
𝑇1/2 𝐴𝑒
𝐴 𝛼𝑇1/2
𝐴𝑒
𝑒 𝛼𝑇1/2

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 First Order Separable Differential Equations

ln
𝛼
𝑇1/2

So 𝛼 is the Decay Constant inverse of which is proportional to the Half Life of the
radioactive element.
We can also write the solution as
𝑡
ln 2 𝑡/𝑇1/2
𝑇1
𝛼𝑡
𝑡 𝑒 𝑒 2 ( )

Since represents the amount of the radioactive element, it has to be a positive quantity
which restricts our choice of arbitrary constant 𝐴 to positive values only. Let 𝛼 then
𝑡 𝐴𝑒 𝑡 and some representative curves would be

Example 3.1.5 The population of a city increases at a rate proportional to the

present population 𝑵 and the difference between a maximum population of 𝑵𝟎 &
the present population𝑵. Find the 𝑫𝑬 which represents such a solution and plot
the family of curves obtained from the solution.

Solution: It has been given that

𝛼 0
𝑡
By separating the variable we get
𝛼 𝑡
0
We can now integrate the equation
0
∫ 𝛼 0 ∫ 𝑡
0
0
∫ 𝛼 0 ∫ 𝑡
0

∫[ ] 𝛼 0 ∫ 𝑡
0

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 First Order Separable Differential Equations

∫[ ] 𝛼 0 ∫ 𝑡
0
ln ln 0 𝛼 0 𝑡 𝐶
ln 𝛼 0 𝑡 𝐶
0

𝐴𝑒 𝛼 0𝑡
0
0 𝛼 0𝑡
𝑒
𝐴
𝛼 0𝑡 0
𝐵𝑒

where 𝐴 𝑒𝛼 0𝐶 and write it in the explicit form

0
𝐵𝑒 𝛼 0𝑡
1
where 𝐵 is the arbitrary constant.
𝐴

Example 3.1.6 Find the 𝑫𝑬 which represent the cardioids.

𝒓 𝜶 𝟏 𝐜𝐨𝐬 𝜽
Plot the family of curves obtained from the solution.

Solution: Let us first plot few cardioids by taking the parameter 𝛼 8 6& .

We can see it’s likely that every point on the 𝑟 𝜃 plane has a unique cardioid passing
through it having a particular 𝛼. We will find that this is the general property of equation
of First Order First Degree.

Taking the first derivative with respect to angle 𝜃,

𝑟
𝛼 sin 𝜃
𝜃
Using 𝛼 𝑟/ cos 𝜃 we get

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𝑟 𝑟
sin 𝜃
𝜃 cos 𝜃
cos 𝜃 𝑟 𝑟 sin 𝜃 𝜃

which represents the differential equation for cardioids.

Example 3.1.7 Plot the family of curves which represent the parabolas with
latus rectum 𝟒𝒂 and axes parallel to the 𝒚-axis. Also obtain the 𝑫𝑬
𝒙 𝑨 𝟐 𝟒𝒂 𝒚 𝑩

Solution: Let’s plot few parabolae by taking the parameter

𝐴𝐵 & .

We can see it’s likely that every point on the plane has a unique parabola passing
through it having a particular 𝐴 𝐵 and having particular value of slope. We will find that
this is the general property of equation of Linear Second Order.
Taking the first derivative with respect to ,
𝐴 𝑎
Taking the second derivative with respect to ,
2

2 𝑎
which represents the differential equation.

3.2 Separable Equations

Consider a 1st order differential equation in differential form (4)

Now if this DE can be written such that

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𝑋 : a function of only
𝑌 : a function of only

then we can represent it as

𝑋 𝑌

which is a separable differential equation of the form

𝑋
{ 𝑌 }

We can solve this equation by writing

𝑋 𝑌

and integrating both sides

∫𝑋 ∫𝑌 𝐶

These two integrals exist if 𝑋 and 𝑌 are continuous function of over the interval.

We note that { }
can be rewritten as

1
by representing 𝑋 and { }
the DE is expressed as a product of two
functions which are independent of each other.

Let’s try to understand what a separable differential equation is and how we use this fact
to arrive at a solution .Also lets understand, how we can obtain an explicit solution and
what solution in particular satisfies the initial values given at some point.

Examples of Separable 1st Order DE

Example 3.2.1 Solve the DE by separating variables

𝜶𝟐 𝒚𝒚 𝒙 𝟎

and plot the family of curves obtained from the solution.

Solution: First we write the DE in the Differential Form

𝛼2

By separating the variable we get

𝛼2

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∫ 𝛼2 ∫
2 2
𝛼2 𝐶
𝛼2 2 2
𝐴2

where 𝐴2 𝐶 is the arbitrary constant. This is an implicit solution for the DE.

We can look for the explicit solution of the form by solving for

𝐴2 2
±√
𝛼2

The general solution represents the family of ellipses as shown. Let 𝛼 then
±√𝐴2 2 and some representative curves would be

We can see that the interval of validity of the particular solution ±√9 2 for 𝐴 is
∈[ ] while that for the particular solution ±√ 6 2 for 𝐴 is ∈[ ].

Example 3.2.2 Solve the DE by separating variables

𝒚 𝜶𝟐 𝒚

and plot the family of curves obtained from the solution.

Solution: First we write it in the Differential Form

𝛼2

By separating the variable we get

𝛼2

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We can now integrate the equation

1
∫ 𝛼2 ∫
ln 𝛼2 𝐶
2 +𝐶
𝑒𝛼
and write it in the explicit form
2
𝐴𝑒 𝛼

where 𝐴 𝑒 𝐶 .
The general solution represents the family of curves as shown. Let 𝛼 then 𝐴𝑒 and
some representative curves would be

We can see that the interval of validity of the particular solutions ± 𝑒 for 𝐴 ± is
∈ ∞ ∞ and the same holds for the particular solutions ± 𝑒 for 𝐴 ± is
∈ ∞∞ .

Example 3.2.3 Solve the DE by separating variables

𝒚 𝜶𝟐 𝒚𝟐 𝟎

Solution: We would like to note that the 1 st order DE is not Linear but it is easily
separable as

𝛼2 2

which is in the product form. By separating the variable we get

2
𝛼2

and integrating we get

2
∫ 𝛼2 ∫

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1
𝛼2 𝐶

𝛼2 𝐶

which yields the explicit solution

𝛼2 𝐴

where 𝐴 𝐶 is the arbitrary constant.

1
The general solution represents the family of ellipses as shown. Let 𝛼 then
+𝐴
and some representative curves would be

We can see that the interval of validity of the particular solutions

1
for 𝐴 is ∈ ∞ & ∈ ∞
5
1
for 𝐴 is ∈ ∞ & ∈ ∞
+5
1
for 𝐴 is ∈ ∞ & ∈ ∞ &
10
1
for 𝐴 is ∈ ∞ & ∈ ∞ .
+10

Example 3.2.4 Solve the DE by separating variables

𝒚 𝜶𝟐 𝒚𝟐 𝜷𝟐

Solution: We would like to note that the 1st order DE is also not Linear but it is separable
as

𝛽2 𝛼2 2

which is in the product form. By separating the variable we get

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𝛽2 𝛼2 2

𝛽2
𝛼2 2 /𝛽 2

∫ 𝛽2 ∫
𝛼 2 2 /𝛽 2
𝛼
𝑡𝑎𝑛 1 ( ) 𝛽 2 𝐶
𝛽
𝛼
𝑡𝑎𝑛 ( ) 𝛽 2
1
𝐴
𝛽
which yields the explicit solution
𝛽
tan 𝐴 𝛽2
𝛼

where 𝐴 𝛽 2 𝐶 is the arbitrary constant.

The general solution represents the family of curves as shown. Let 𝛼 𝛽 then
tan 𝐴 and some representative curves would be

We can see that the interval of validity of the particular solutions

𝜋 𝜋
tan ( ) for 𝐴 is ∈ 𝜋
2 2
𝜋 𝜋
tan ( ) for 𝐴 is ∈ 𝜋
2 2
3𝜋 3𝜋
tan ( ) for 𝐴 is ∈ 𝜋 𝜋
2 2
3𝜋 3𝜋
tan ( ) for 𝐴 is ∈ 𝜋 𝜋 .
2 2

Example 3.2.5 Solve the DE by separating variables

𝒚 𝒙𝒚 𝜶 𝟏 𝒙𝟐 𝒚
where 𝜶 𝟏.

Solution: We would like to note that it is a 1st order Linear DE and can be written as

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2
2 1

which is in the product form. By separating the variable we get

[ ]

∫ ∫[ ] → 𝐴

If > we can write the solution as

ln| | ln| | ln| | 𝐶
ln| | ln 𝐶

ln { } 𝐶

𝑒𝐶
which yields the explicit solution
𝐴

where 𝐴 𝑒 𝐶 is the arbitrary constant.

If < < we can write the solution (using the solution integral Eq. A ) as

ln| | ln| | ln| | 𝐶

ln| | ln 𝐶
𝑒𝐶

which yields the explicit solution

𝐴

where 𝐴 𝑒 𝐶 is the arbitrary constant.

If < we can write the solution (using the solution integral Eq. A ) as

ln| | ln| | ln| | 𝐶

ln| | ln 𝐶

𝑒𝐶
which yields the explicit solution

where 𝐴 𝑒 𝐶 is the arbitrary constant.

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The general solution represents the family of curves as shown. Some representative
curves would be

We can see that the interval of validity of the particular solutions

10
for 𝐴 is ∈ ∞
1
10
for 𝐴 is ∈ ∞
1
50
for 𝐴 is ∈ ∞
1
50
for 𝐴 is ∈ ∞ .
1
and
for 𝐴 is ∈
for 𝐴 is ∈
for 𝐴 is ∈
for 𝐴 is ∈ .
while
1
for 𝐴 is ∈ ∞
1
for 𝐴 is ∈ ∞
1
for 𝐴 is ∈ ∞
1
for 𝐴 is ∈ ∞ .

Example 3.2.6 Solve the DE by separating variables

𝒆𝜶𝒙 𝒅𝒙 𝜷𝒚𝒅𝒚 𝟎

Solution: It is a 1st order Linear DE and can be written as

𝑒𝛼
𝛽
𝑒𝛼 𝛽 1

which is in the product form. By separating the variable we get

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𝛽 𝑒𝛼
∫𝛽 ∫ 𝑒𝛼
2
𝑒𝛼
𝛽 𝐶
𝛼
which yields the explicit solution
𝑒𝛼
±√ 𝐴
𝛼𝛽

where 𝐴 𝐶/𝛽 is the arbitrary constant.

The general solution represents the family of curves as shown. Let 𝛼 𝛽 then
±√ 𝑒 𝐴 and some representative curves would be

We can see that the interval of validity of the particular solutions

±√ 𝑒 for 𝐴 is ∈ ∞ ∞
±√ 𝑒 for 𝐴 is ∈ ∞ ∞
±√ 𝑒 for 𝐴 is ∈ ln ∞
±√ 𝑒 for 𝐴 is ∈ (ln ⁄ ∞) &
±√ 𝑒 for 𝐴 is ∈ ln ∞ .

3.3 Value Addition (Let’s try to look at some interesting

real life DE and understand how we arrive at a
solution)

Example 3.3.1 Obtain the solution to the Banker’s Equation where the amount

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𝒚, the interest rate 𝒓 and the withdrawal rate 𝒘 are determined by the DE

𝒅𝒚
𝒓 𝒘 𝒚
𝒅𝒕

Solution: By separating the variable we get

𝑟 𝑤 𝑡

Integrating it we find
∫ ∫ 𝑟 𝑤 𝑡

ln 𝑟 𝑤 𝑡 𝐶

where 𝐴 𝑒 𝐶 is the arbitrary constant. The explicit solution for the DE is then

𝑟 𝑤 𝑡
𝑡 𝐴𝑒

The general solution represents the family of exponentials as shown.

Let 𝑟 𝑤 then 𝑡 𝐴𝑒 𝑡 and some representative curves would be

So we find that if the interest rate is greater than the withdrawal rate money would
grow.
We can see that the interval of validity of the particular solution is 𝑡 > .
Let 𝑤 𝑟 then 𝑡 𝐴𝑒 𝑡 and some representative curves would be

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So we find that if the withdrawal rate is greater than the interest rate money would
reduce.
We can see that the interval of validity of the particular solution is 𝑡 > .

Example 3.3.2 Let a tank contain 1000 litre of water in which 40kg of salt is
dissolved. 5 litre of brine, each containing 1kg of dissolved salt runs into the
tank per second. The mixture in the tank is kept homogeneous. The mixture
now runs out of the tank at the same rate of 5 litre per second. Find the amount
of salt y at any time t in the tank.

Solution:
The salt in the tank changes at a rate = Salt inflow rate – Salt outflow rate

Salt inflow rate = 5 kg /sec as (5 litre of brine, each containing 1kg of dissolved salt
runs into the tank per second.)

Salt outflow rate

Let 𝑡 be the total amount of salt present at time 𝑡 in the tank which always contains
1000 litre of water. Each litre in the tank contains 𝑡 / kg salt. Thus 5 litre
contains 𝑡 ∗ / kg salt. Therefore, the rate of change of salt in the tank is

. 𝑡

. 𝑡
. 𝑡

Integrating it we find
∫ . ∫ 𝑡

ln | | . 𝑡 𝐶

where 𝐴 𝑒 𝐶 is the arbitrary constant. The explicit solution for the DE is then

0.0005 𝑡
𝑡 𝐴𝑒

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Using the initial condition at t=0 the amount is 40 kg we get

𝑡
So
𝐴
Hence
0.0005 𝑡
𝑡 96 𝑒

Example 3.3.3 If the temperature ‘T’ of a system at 𝒕 𝟎 is 𝟔𝟒℃. After 2

hours (𝒕 𝟐), temperature becomes 𝟓𝟓℃. Find the temperature of the
system at 𝒕 𝟖 hours . Assume temperature of the surrounding to be
𝟑𝟒℃.

Solution:
The time rate of change of temperature is

𝑇
𝑇′
𝑡
And
𝑇 𝛼 𝑇 𝑇𝑠
𝑇𝑠 being the temperature of the surrounding, then
𝑇
𝑇 𝑇𝑠
𝑡

𝑇
𝑘 𝑇
𝑡
or
𝑇
𝑘 𝑡
𝑇
Integrating it we find
𝑇
∫ 𝑘𝑡 𝐶
𝑇

ln |𝑇 | 𝐴𝑒 𝑘𝑡

where 𝐴 𝑒 𝐶 is the arbitrary constant. The explicit solution for the DE is then

𝑇 𝐴𝑒 𝑘𝑡

Using the initial condition at t=0 the temperature is 6 ℃ we get

6 𝐴
Hence
𝑇 𝑒𝑘 𝑡
Using 𝑇 𝑡 ℃ since after 2 hours the temperature is ℃ we get

𝑒𝑘 2
𝑘 . 78
And so finally

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0.1783 𝑡
𝑇 𝑒
So the temperature after 8 hours is

0.1783∗8
𝑇 𝑒 . ℃

Summary

Standard and Differential Form of the Differential Equation

The general first order differential equation is given by where and are
independent and dependent variables respectively and is of degree 1.

- We write the Standard Form as

- It is to be noted that not all equations can be written in the standard form.
- The Differential Form is written as

Separable Equations
- A separable differential equation can be written in the form , as a
product of two functions which are independent of each other.

Bibliography/ References / Glossary

1. Advanced Engineering Mathematics by Erwin Kreysig
2. Advanced Engineering Mathematics by Michael D. Greenberg
3. Schaum's Outline: Theory and Problems of Advanced Calculus by Murray R. Spiegel
4. Mathematical Methods in Physical Sciences by Mary L. Boas
5. Calculus & Analytic Geometry by Fobes & Smyth
6. Essential Mathematical Methods by K.F. Riley & M.P. Hobson
7. Schaum's Outline: Theory and Problems of Differential Equations by Richard Bronson
8. Schaum's Outline: Theory and Problems of Differential Equations by Frank Ayres
9. Introductory Course in Differential Equations by Daniel A. Murray
10. Differential Equations by N.M. Kapoor
11. Higher Engineering Mathematics by B S Grewal
12. A Treatise on Differential Equations by A. R. Forsyth

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