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First Order Differential Equation1 Small

This document discusses the method of separation of variables for solving first order ordinary differential equations (ODEs), explaining how to rearrange equations and integrate them. It highlights that not all first order equations can be separated, and introduces exact differential equations and the concept of integrating factors. The document also provides examples and exercises to practice applying the separation of variables technique.

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8 views4 pages

First Order Differential Equation1 Small

This document discusses the method of separation of variables for solving first order ordinary differential equations (ODEs), explaining how to rearrange equations and integrate them. It highlights that not all first order equations can be separated, and introduces exact differential equations and the concept of integrating factors. The document also provides examples and exercises to practice applying the separation of variables technique.

Uploaded by

Aniket Mall
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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First Order Differential Equations

Introduction Separation of variables is a technique


commonly used to solve first order ordinary differential
equations.
It is so-called because we rearrange the equation to be solved
such that all terms involving the dependent variable appear
on one side of the equation, and all terms involving the
independent variable appear on the other. Integration
completes the solution. Not all first order equations can be
rearranged in this way so this technique is not always
appropriate. Further, it is not always possible to perform the
integration even if the variables are separable. In this Section
you will learn how to decide whether the method is
appropriate, and how to apply it in such cases. An exact first
order differential equation is one which can be solved by
simply integrating both sides. Only very few first order
differential equations are exact. You will learn how to
recognise these and solve them. Some others may be
converted simply to exact equations and that is also
considered Whilst exact differential equations are few and far
between an important class of differential equations can be
converted into exact equations by multiplying through by a
function known as the integrating factor for the equation. a
variety of equations using the separation of variables.
First Order Differential Equations separating the variables in
first order ODEs In this topic we consider differential
equations which can be written in the form dy/ dx = f(x)g(y)
Note that the right-hand side is a product of a function of x,
and a function of y. Examples of such equations are
dy 2 3
dx =
x y

dy
dx
= y 2 sinx and
dy
dx
== ye x

Not all first order equations can be written in this form. For
example, it is not possible to rewrite the equation
dy
dx
= x2 + y
3

in the form
dy
dx
= f(x)g(y)

Determine which of the following differential equations can


be written in the form
dy
dx
= f(x)g(y) If possible, rewrite each equation in this form.
dy x dy dy
(a) dx = y , (b) dx = 4 x + 2 y , (c) y dx + 3x = 7
2 2
Example 1 : Use the method of separation of variables to
2
dy
solve the differential equation dx = 3 xy
Solution: The equation already has the form dy dx = f(x)g(y)
where f(x) = 3 x and g(y) = 1/y. Dividing both sides by g(y) we
2

find y dy/ dx =3 x 2

Integrating both sides with respect to x gives


dy
∫ y dx dx= ∫ 3 x 2dx

that is ∫ y dy =∫ 3 x dx 2

Note that the left-hand side is an integral involving just y; the


right-hand side is an integral involving just x. After integrating
both sides with respect to the stated variables we find
1 2
y=x + c where c is a constant of integration.
3
2

In this particular case y = 2 x + 2c2 3

so that y = ± √ 2 x +2c
3

Example 2 : Use the method of separation of variables to


dy cos x
solve the differential equation dx = sin 2 y
Solution: First separate the variables so that terms involving
y and appear on the left, and terms involving x appear on the
right sin 2y dy = cos x dx,
now integrate both sides
∫ sin 2 y dy=∫ cosx dx
1
- 2 cos 2y = sin x + c
Exercises:
−x
dy e
1. Solve the equation dx = y

2. Solve the following equation subject to the condition


y(0) = 1:
dy
dx
= 3x 2 −y
e

3.Find the general solution of the following equations:


dy
(a) dx = 3,
dy 6 sin x
(b) dx = y

4. (a) Find the general solution of the equation


dx /dt = t(x − 2).
(b) Find the particular solution which satisfies the condition
x(0) = 5.
5. Some equations which do not appear to be separable can
be made so by means of a suitable substitution. By means of
the substitution z = y/x
2
dy y y
solve the equation dx = x2 + x + 1

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