Copyright: Rene Barrientos Page 1

MAP2302 LECTURE 3 2010-3

SEPARATION OF VARIABLES





Box I
For example, the equation
Jy
Jx
= x
2
y +(xy)
2

is separable because (x, y) = x
2
y +(xy)
2
can be factored into x
2
(y +y
2
):
(x, y) = x
2
(y +y
2
)


On the other hand, the equation
Jy
Jx
= x
2
+y
2

is not separable because no factoring will allow us to express (x, y) = x
2
+y
2
as a product of the form A(x)
B(y).
The Method of Separation of Variables
Suppose that y = (x, y) is a separable equation so that

Jy
Jx
= A(x) B(y) (1)
But let us keep in mind that y is a function of x so what we really have is an equation of the form
J
Jx
y(x) = A(x) B(y(x))
Then we can write
1
B(y(x))
Jy(x) = BA(x)Jx
Since Jy(x) = y
i
(x)Jx,
1
B(y(x))
y
i
(x)Jx = A(x)Jx
or
_
1
B(y(x))
y
i
(x) -A(x)_ Jx = u
This means that
__
1
B(y(x))
y
i
(x) -A(x)_ Jx = c
where c is an arbitrary constant and this in turn means that
_
1
B(y(x))
y
i
(x) Jx -_A(x) Jx = c
More concisely,
_
1
B(y)
Jy -_A(x) Jx = c
Now let
U(y) = _
1
B(y)
dy anu F(x) = _A(x)dx
The Equation y = (x, y) is said to be separable if can be factored into a product of the form A(x) B(y), that is,
if (x, y) = A(x) B(y) where A is function of x only and B is a function of y only.
A(x) B(y)
Copyright: Rene Barrientos Page 2

We claim that u(y) -I(x) = c formally satisfies (1).
To see that we have a formal solution, differentiate implicitly using the Chain Rule:
J
Jt
|u(y) -I(x)] =
J
Jt
c
u
i
(y(x)) y
i
(x) -I
i
(x) = u
But by definition, u
i
(y) =
1
B()
and I
i
(x) = A(x). Hence, the result follows.
Remarks:
1) Although two indefinite integrals are involved, we use only one constant of integration. This is because two constant
terms can be combined into a single one: the sum of two constants is still a constant.
2) Whenever possible we evaluate the integrals, but there are times when this is not possible and the answer will include
an integral.
3) Sometimes we will be able to solve u(y) -I(x) = c for y, but more often than not this will not be possible. Your
answer will be an implicit solution and care must be exercised in choosing the region where it is defined.
4) In practice, once we evaluate ]
d
B()
= ]A(x)Jx, we leave the answer as is; there is no preference to express the
implicit solution in the form u(y) -I(x) = c .
The method can be summarized as follows:






Box I
If the problem is an initial value problem, then we can either proceed as outlined in box I and then apply
the initial conditions to determine the value of the arbitrary constant c, or we may use the following result
which is based on the Fundamental Theorem of Calculus:












Box II


_o(x) Jx +_b(y) Jy = c
Let F(x, y) = ]
d
B()
-]A(x) Jx. Then the relation F(x, y) = c defines an implicit
solution of the equation y = A(x)B(y).
If the equation is given in differential form o(x)Jx +b(y)Jy = u, then
defines an implicit solution.
_
Js
B(s)

0
-_ A(t)
x
x
0
Jt = u
_ o(t)
x
x
0
Jt +_ b(s)

0
Js = u
o(x)Jx +b(y)Jy = u; y(x
0
) = y
0

Suppose y = A(x) B(y); y(x
0
) = y
0
. Then
determines an implicit solution of the IVP.
Similarly,
determines an implicit solution of the IVP
Copyright: Rene Barrientos Page 3

The expression m(x, y)dx +n(x, y)dy is called a differential form. If there exist a function F(x, y) such that
JF = m(x, y)Jx +n(x, y)Jy, then we call it an exact differential and the equation
m(x, y)dx +n(x, y)dy = (2)
is called an exact differential equation. As we shall see, separable equations are always exact. Furthermore, we
say that y = (x) is a solution of (2) iff
|m(x, y) +n((x)) '(x)]Jx = u
We will justify the results stated in boxes I and II later. For now, let us see how to apply them.
Example 1 Solve the equation y' = x
2
y
3

Solution
This equation is certainly separable:
d
dx
= x
2
y
3
has A(x) = x
2
and B(y) = y
3
. Thus,
Jy
y
3
= x
2
Jx
Integrating
_
Jy
y
3
= _x
2
Jx +c
Evaluating the integrals,
y
-2
-2
=
x
3
S
+c
is an implicit solution which we may be written as
x
3
S
+
1
2y
2
+c = u
We can solve this implicit relation for y and this might be desirable under certain circumstances, but in
general will not be possible:
1
y
2
= -2c -
2x
3
S

or
y =
1
_
-2c -
2x
3
3

= _k -
2x
3
3
_
-12

where the constant -2c has been replaced by the constant k.
Check: let us verify that we have a solution by substituting in y = x
2
y
3
:
y = -
1
2
_k -
2x
3
S
_
-
3
2
(-2x
2
)
= _k -
2x
3
S
_
-
3
2
(x
2
)
= __k -
2x
3
S
_
-
1
2
_
3
(x
2
)
= y
3
x
2

So we have a solution.

Copyright: Rene Barrientos Page 4

Exercise: There is at least another solution to the previous example, what is it? verify your claim.
Example 2 Solve the IVP y
i
= x
2
y
3
; y(1) = u
Solution
This is the exact same differential equation in example 1, however, it includes an initial condition. All we
need to do is apply it to find the constant. Since y = u when x = 1,
u =
1
_
k -
2
S

We have a problem: there is no real number k which satisfies this equation. What went wrong? Doesnt
the Existence and Uniqueness Theorem guarantee a unique solution?
Nothing went wrong. The theorem does guarantee a unique solution and that solution is the trivial
solution y(x) u. We lost this solution in the separation process, which required that we divide by y and
thus implicitly assumed that y = u. The function
y =
1
_
k -
2x
3
S

solves the IVP with any other initial conditions, but when the differential equation was separated, we had
to assume that y = u in order to write
Jy
y
3
= x
2
Jx
Thus, the case y = u has to be treated separately. The proper mathematical statement in the previous
example should have been:
| y = , then y
i
= x
2
y
3
=
dy
y
3
= x
2
dx
and then proceed as we did. The function
y(x) =
1
_
k -
2x
3
S

is a one-parameter family of solutions of the differential equation, but it is not its general solution because
it excludes y u, which is also a solution. The solution y u is therefore a singular solution of the
differential equation.
When separating variables or performing any other type of mathematical operation, make sure to account for all
restrictions imposed by the problem and the operations involved (e.g. division by 0) and treat those special cases
separately.
Example 3 Solve the equation y = x +xy
2
.
Solution
Factoring the right hand side,
Jy
Jx
= x(1 +y
2
)
Separating variables,
Jy
(1 +y
2
)
= xJx
Integrating,
_
Jy
(1 +y
2
)
= _xJx +c
We can evaluate both integrals:
tan
-1
y =
x
2
2
+c

Copyright: Rene Barrientos Page 5

Once again we can solve for y
y = tan_
x
2
2
+c_
Let us verify that this is a solution. Differentiating:
y = sec
2
_
x
2
2
+c_ x
Since tan[
x
2
2
+c =

1
we have:






From this figure,
sec _
x
2
2
+c_ = 1 +y
2

since, y = sec
2
[
x
2
2
+c x,
y = [1 +y
2

2
x = x(1 +y
2
)
= x +xy
2

Question: are there any restrictions that we should have imposed? Examine every step of the argument.
Example 4 solve the equation y
d
dx
+2xy
2
= u
Solution
We begin by separating the variables:

Jy
Jx
+2xy
2
= u =
Jy
Jx
= -2xy
2

Thus,

Jy
y
2
= -2xJx; y = u
Integrating,
_
Jy
y
2
= _-2xJx +c
Evaluating the integrals,
-y
-1
= -x
2
+c; y = u
We can solve for y:
y
-1
= x
2
-c =
1
y
= x
2
-c
y =
1
x
2
-c
; y =
Example 5 solve the equation (y +1)
d
dx
= y tanx
Solution
separating variables:

(y +1)
y
Jy = tanx Jx
Simplifying,
(y
12
+y
-12
)Jy = tanx Jx; y > u

x
2
2
+ c
y
1
1 +y
2

Copyright: Rene Barrientos Page 6

Integrating,
_(y
12
+y
-12
)Jy = _tanx Jx +c
Evaluating the integrals,

S
2
y
32
+2y
12
= -ln|cos x| +c y = u
We may simplify a bit more by eliminating fractions and unnecessary negative signs:
3y
32
+4y
12
= 2ln|se x| +k y =
where k = 2c.
Example 6 Solve the equation y' = xc
x+2

Solution
Separating variables,
1
c
2
Jy = xc
x
Jx
Integrating,
_c
-2
Jy = _xc
x
Jx +c
To evaluate the integral on the right, we use integration by parts to obtain ]xc
x
Jx = xc
x
-x. Thus,
-
1
2
c
2
= xc
x
-x +c
is an implicit solution of the differential equation.
In contrast, y' = yc
x+2
is separable but no so easy to solve because it leads to the integral equation
_
1
ye
2y
dy = e
x
+c
Exercise: show that the relation ]
1
c
2j
Jy -c
x
= c determines a solution y = (x) in an appropriately restricted subset of
R
2
.
Example 7 [a differential form] Solve the equation t(1 +s
2
)
12
Jt +s(1 +t
2
)
12
Js = u
Solution
Differential equations given in differential form is given can always be rewritten it in their standard form
ds
dt
= (t, s). However, if they are separable, then can be also written as o(t)Jt +b(s)Js = u by
appropriate use of algebra. The results in Box I can be used to solve this equation.
In order to make the coefficient of Jt a function of t only and that of ds a function of s only, divide
through (1 +s
2
)
12
(1 +t
2
)
12
:
t(1 +s
2
)
12
(1 +s
2
)
12
(1 +t
2
)
12
Jt +
s(1 +t
2
)
12
(1 +s
2
)
12
(1 +t
2
)
12
Js = u
Cancelling common factors,
t
(1 +t
2
)
12
Jt +
s
(1 +s
2
)
12
Js = u

Integrating,
_
t
(1 +t
2
)
12
Jt +_
s
(1 +s
2
)
12
Js = u


1
2
_(1 +t
2
)
-12
2tJt +
1
2
_(1 +s
2
)
-12
2sJs = u
o(t) b(s)
Copyright: Rene Barrientos Page 7

Evaluating the integrals:
1
2
(1 +t
2
)
12
12
+
1
2
(1 +s
2
)
12
12
= c
where c is the constant that arises when the arbitrary constants of the individual integrals are comvined.
Finally,
(1 +t
2
)
12
+(1 +x
2
)
12
= c
formally determines an implicit solution of the differential equation.
Exercise: verify this is a formal solution using implicit differentiation.
Example 8 The equation Jr = b(cos 0 Jr +r sin0 J0) has as solution r = c(1 -b cos 0) which may be verified
by substitution. Derive this result by the method of separation of variables.
Solution
We begin by collecting the dr terms and the J0 terms together:
Jr = b cos 0 Jr +br sin0 J0
(1 -b cos 0)Jr = br sin0 J0
Jr
r
=
b sin0
(1 -b cos 0)
J0
Integrating,
_
Jr
r
= _
b sin0
(1 -b cos 0)
J0 +c
Evaluating,
ln|r| = ln(1 -b cos 0) +lnk
The constant c has been written as lnk because it helps of the presence of the other log terms. It helps us
in simplifying the implicit solution. Since every real number is a log of some positive number, no
generality has been compromised.
Thus,
ln|r| = ln|k (1 -b cos 0)|
Finally, since the ln function is monotone, we know that lnp =lnq =p = q Thus,
ln|r| = ln|k(1 -b cos 0)| =|r| = |k(1 -b cos 0 |
Solving for r,
r = _k(1 -b cos 0)
r = c(1 -hus 0)
where c = _k is a real number.
Example 9 Solve the equation
d
dx
=
x+2-x-2
x-3+x-3

Solution
We begin by factoring the expressions:
Jy
Jx
=
xy +2y -x -2
xy -Sy +x -S

=
y(x +2) -(x +2)
y(x -S) +(x -S)

=
(x +2)(y -1)
(x -S)(y +1)

Separating the variables:

(y +1)
(y -1)
Jy =
(x +2)
(x -S)
Jx

Integrating
constant
Copyright: Rene Barrientos Page 8

We now use two substitutions: on the left, let u = y -1 =du = dy. On the right.
let u = x -3 onJ du = dx. Then
u +2
u
Ju =
: +S
:
J:
We can integrate these easily:
_
u +2
u
Ju = _
: +S
:
J: +c



Thus,
u +2ln|u| = u +5ln|u| +c
But u = y -1 and : = x -S. Therefore,
(y -1) +2ln|y -1| = (x -3) +5ln|x -3| +c
As mentioned earlier, it is sometimes difficult to write an explicit solution of the differential equation; this is one of
those instances where we must leave the solution in implicit form.
Example 10 [Newtons Lawof Cooling] Solve the equation
d
dt
= k( -7u) where k is a constant.
Solution
Separating variables,
J
-7u
= kJt
Integrating,
_
J
-7u
= _kJt +c
Evaluating the integrals:
ln| -7u| = kt +c
We are done. However, we would like to solve for Q:
| -7u| = c
kt+c

Using the properties of the exponential,
| -7u| = c
c
c
kt

Clearly c
c
is a positive constant, call it A. Thus,
| -7u| = A c
kt

Finally, we can remove the absolute value:
-7u = _Ac
kt

Since _A is a constant (now allowed to be positive or negative), we can rename it to B and solve for (t):
Q(t) = 7 +Be
kt

where k and B are real numbers.
Example 11 Solve the IVP
d
dt
+2y = 1, y(u) =
5
2

Solution
The equation
Jy
Jt
= 1 -2y, y(u) =
S
2


u +2
u
= 1 +
2
u

: +S
:
= 1 +
S
:

Copyright: Rene Barrientos Page 9

is an autonomous equation with a critical point at y = 12 whose integral curves are shown below.







The solution of the IVP is the unique curve which contains the point (u,S2). Let us find the analytic
form of this curve by solving the equation.
Separating variables,
Jy
1 -2y
= Jt
Integrating,
_
Jy
1 -2y
= _Jt
Evaluating,
-
1
2
ln|1 -2y| = t +c
Cleaning up a bit,
ln|1 -2y| = k -2t
The initial condition requires that
ln |1 -2
S
2
| = k -2 u
Thus, k = ln4 and our solution is:
ln|1 -2y| = ln4 -2t
We can simplify this to
ln_
1 -2y
4
_ = -2t
And we can even solve for y:
|1 -2y| = 4c
-2t

Decision time! There are two possible solutions:
1 -2y = 4c
-2t

1 -2y = -4c
-2t

Which one do we pick? The one that satisfies the IVP, of course. If we apply the initial conditions, the
second one is the one that works. Thus,
1 -2y = -4c
-2t
=y(t) =
1
2
+2e
-2t

This is the only solution that satisfies y() =
5
2

Exercise: For the solution in the previous example:
a) Show that lim
t-
y(t) = 12
b) Show that this solution satisfies the differential equation and its initial condition.
c) Does this agree with the graph obtained from qualitative analysis?
d) What is the significance of the two solutions found?


y = 12
S2
Copyright: Rene Barrientos Page 10

Example 12 Solve the IVP y' = yc
-x
2
; y(4) = 1
Solution
Separating,
Jy
y
= c
-x
2
Jx
Integrating
_
Jy
y
= _c
-x
2
Jx +c
Now what? We can do the integral on the left, but what do we do about the integral on the right? At this
point, not much; after evaluating the integral on the left we can leave our answer with an integral, but what
we must definitely do is apply the initial condition in order to determine the value of the integration
constant:
ln|y| = _c
-x
2
Jx +c
We still have the constant. How do we address this situation? We invoke the result stated in Box II and
integrate over the corresponding limits of integration:
_
Js
s

1
= _ c
-t
2
x
4
Jt
Evaluating the first integral,
ln|y| -ln |1| = _ c
-t
2
x
4
Jt
or
ln|y| = _ c
-t
2
x
4
Jt
This equation has two solutions:
y(x) = _
e
] e
-t
2 x
4
dt
-e
] e
-t
2 x
4
dt

Query: which of these should we pick? Take a look at the initial condition; since y(4) = 1 we must select
y(x) = e
] e
-t
2 x
4
dt

Exercise: Verify that this function solves the IVP [use the Fundamental Theorem of Calculus].
Example 13 Solve the IVP JN -(Ntc
t+2
-N)Jt = u; N(1) = S
Solution
Method I
Dividing by dt
JN
Jt
= Ntc
t+2
-N
separating variables:
JN
Jt
= N(tc
t+2
-1)
From which we get
JN
N
= (tc
t+2
-1)Jt
Integrating,
_
JN
N
= _tc
t
c
2
Jt -_1 Jt
Evaluating these (note that ]tc
t
c
2
Jt = c
2
]tc
t
Jt requires integration by parts
1
):

1
Note: ]tc
t
= tc
t
-c
t

Copyright: Rene Barrientos Page 11

ln|N| = c
2
(tc
t
-c
t
) -t +c
Factoring c
t
we obtain
ln|N| = e
t+2
(t -1) -t +c
Applying the initial condition N(1) = S at this point:
ln|S| = c
1+2
(1 -1) -1 +c
ln|S| = -1 +c


Thus,
ln|N| = c
t+2
(t -1) -t +1 +ln|S|

or
ln_
N
S
_ = c
t+2
(t -1) -t +1
Factoring t -1 to simplify,
ln_
N
3
_ = (t -1)(e
t+2
-1)
As a matter of course, you should at least check that the initial condition is satisfied: if t = 1, do
we get N = 3. yes:
ln_
N
3
_ = e
t+2
(1 -1) -1 +1 = ln_
N
3
_ = u
The last equation implies that N = 3 so we know that at least our algebra in the last portion of
the problem is sound. Differentiation will establish the fact that the solution does, in fact, satisfy
the differential equation.
Method II
Alternatively, we could have proceeded as indicated in Box II. The original IVP
JN -(Ntc
t+2
-N)Jt = u; N(1) = S
can be separated to give us

1
N
JN -(tc
t+2
-1)Jt = u; N(1) = S
which has the form described in Box II. Applying that result,
_
1
s
Js
N
3
-_ (rc
+2
-1)Jr
t
1
= u
Thus,
(ln|N| -lnS) -c
2
(tc
t
-c
t
) -(t -1) = u
Doing the algebra:
ln_
N
S
_ -(t -1)(c
t+2
-1) = u
ln_
N
3
_ = (t -1)(e
t+2
-1)
Example 14 (an application to physics) the Work-Energy Theorem in physics states that if a force F acts on an
object, then the work done by that force as the object moves from point P to point Q is equal to the objects change
in kinetic energy:
w
P-
_ F
S
Js
x
Q
x
P
=
1
2
m:

2
-
1
2
m:
P
2

c = 1 +ln|S|
Copyright: Rene Barrientos Page 12

where F
S
is the component of the force along the objects motion, m is the objects mass, and : its speed. Use the
method of separation of variables to establish this result.
Solution
Let us place the x-axis along the objects motion so that F
S
is a function of x, which we will denote by
F(x) [actually F
S
is the component of a vector field along the objects motion]. We wish to show that



According to Newtons second law of motion
2
,
F = ma
Since o = J:Jt,
F = m
J:
Jt

By the Chain Rule,
F(x) = m
J:
Jx

Jx
Jt

= m:
J:
Jx

=
m
2
J
Jx
|:(x)]
2

We are given is that the object speed at x
P
is :
P
, that is, :(x
P
) = :
P
, Integrating and applying the
Fundamental Theorem of Calculus to the right-hand side:
_ F(s)Js
x
x
P
=
m
2
_
J
Jx
|:(s)]
2
Js
x
x
P

=
1
2
m:
2
(s)_
x
P
x

=
1
2
m:
2
(x) -
1
2
m:
2
(x
P
)
=
1
2
m:
2
-
1
2
m:
P
2

The work done by the force as the object moves from point x = x
P
to point x = x

is therefore
_ F(x)Jx
x
Q
x
P
=
1
2
m:

2
-
1
2
m:
P
2

which gives us the important result
W
P-Q
=
1
2
mu
Q
2
-
1
2
mu
P
2








2
F = JPJt where P = mu is the correct statement in this law.
_ F(x)Jx
x
Q
x
P
=
1
2
m:

2
-
1
2
m:
P
2

Copyright: Rene Barrientos Page 13

Summary and Justification of the Technique of Separation of Variables




















Optional (you may omit this section without loss)
What we want now a more formal justification of why the method of Separation of Variables works. Let us first
show that the equation

Jy
Jx
= A(x) B(y) (1)
and its differential form
A(x)Jx -
1
B(y)
Jy = u (2)
are equivalent in that a solution of one is a solution of the other.
Claim1: these two equations are equivalent in the sense that if y = (x) as solution of one, then it is a solution of
the other.
First suppose then that y = (x) is a solution of A(x)Jx -
1
B()
Jy = u on some interval I. Then by
definition
A(x)Jx -
1
B((x))
'(x)Jx = u
on that interval. Therefore,
_A(x) -
1
B((x))
'(x)_Jx = u
Since Jx = u (why?),
A(x) -
1
B((x))
'(x) = u
Jy
Jx
= A(x) B(y)
o(x)Jx +b(y)Jy = u
1
B(y)
Jy -A(x)Jx = u
o(x)Jx +b(y)Jy = u
Jy
Jx
= A(x) B(y)
_o(x)Jx +_b(y)Jy = c
_o(t)Jt
x
x
0
+ _b(s)Js

0
= u
In summary, the technique or separation of variables may be applied to differential equations of the form
or
These are equivalent and one may be converted to the other via suitable algebraic operations. In the first case we may write
which is equivalent to
where o(x) = -A(x) and b(y) = 1B(y). Similarly, o(x)Jx +b(y)Jy = u may be written as
The technique used to solve these equations relies on the fact that, under suitable restrictions,
or
define an implicit solution of the differential equation.
Copyright: Rene Barrientos Page 14

Thus,
'(x) = A(x) B((x))
But y = (x). Therefore,
y'(x) = A(x) B(y)
Next, suppose that y = (x) is a solution of
d
dx
= A(x) B(y). We wish to show that
A(x)Jx -
1
B(y)
Jy = u
To see this, notice that
d
dx
= A(x) B(y) = Jy
d
dx
Jx = A(x)B(y)Jx. Thus,
A(x)Jx -
1
B(y)
Jy = A(x)Jx -
1
B(y)
A(x)B(y)Jx
= A(x)Jx -A(x)Jx
= u

As was stated, not always will an explicit solution of the form y = (x) be obtainable from an implicit solution.
Often we will have to settle for a relation of the form
F(x, y) = c
which defines a solution implicitly, i.e., which can, in theory but not necessarily in practice, be solved for y within
some interval I. The I mplicit Function Theorem
S
gives us the conditions under which this may be done.
With this in mind, we make the following assertion:
Claim2: Let
4

F(x, y) = _A(x) dx -_
1
B(y)
dy
and c be a constant. Then F(x, y) = c defines an implicit solution of (2).
Proof
This is an example of a constructive proof; we construct the solution from basic principles.
In multivariable calculus we learn that the expression
P(x, y)Jx +(x, y)Jy
is an exact differential
S
iff
oP
oy
=
o
ox

The equation P(x, y)Jx +(x, y)Jy = u is an exact differential equation if the expression P(x, y)Jx +
(x, y)Jy is exact.
Suppose then that P is a function of x only and that is a function of y only. Then
oP oy = u anu o ox = u
Therefore, a separable equation of the form P(x)Jx +(y)Jy = u is also exact in any region where
both P and are differentiable. Hence, there is a function F(x, y) whose differential is P(x)Jx +
(y)Jy.
Now set P(x, y) = A(x) and (x, y) = -
1
B()
Since P is a function of only x and is a function of
only y, there is a function F such that

3
See Advanced Calculus by John Olmsted, pg. 326.
4
There are, of course, restrictions that must be kept in mind. For example, it is assumed that A(y) = u.
5
Some continuity conditions must hold. See for example R.C. Bucks Advanced Calculus.
Copyright: Rene Barrientos Page 15

JF = A(x)Jx -
1
B(y)
Jy
where A(x) =
P
x
and -
1
B()
=
P

To find F(x, y) we first partially integrate one of these equations (let us use the first one):
F(x, y) = _A(x) Jx +(y)
where (y) is an arbitrary function of y only. But then
oF
oy
=
i()
= -
1
B(y)

Therefore,
(y) = -_
1
B(y)
Jy +k
Wherek is an arbitrary constant, which se can set equal to u. It follows that
F(x, y) = _A(x) Jx -_
1
B(y)
Jy
We now show that F(x, y) = c, c a constant, defines an implicit solution of
Jy
Jx
= A(x) B(y)
Since F(x, y) = c, JF = u [because the differential of a constant function is u].
To find
d
dx
, we use multivariable calculus:
JF = u =
oF
ox
Jx +
oF
oy
Jy = u
Solving for
d
dx

dy
dx
= -
0F
0x
0F
0y
; _
0F
0y
=
But
oF
ox
=
o
ox
__A(x) Jx -_
1
B(y)
Jy_ = A(x)
Similarly,

oF
oy
=
o
oy
__A(x) Jx -_
1
B(y)
Jy_ = -
1
B(y)

Therefore,
Jy
Jx
=
-A(x)
-
1
B(y)
= A(x) B(y)
The claim has been establish.

Finally, we establish the validity of the result in Box II:
If y
i
= A(x)B(y); y(x
0
) = y
0
. Then
_
Js
B(s)

0
= _ A(t)
x
x
0
Jt
Proof
First, let y = (x) be a solution of the initial value problem on an interval I centered at x
0
. Then,
'(t) = A(t)B((t)); (x
0
) = y
0

for all t e I. Let x be a point in I, as shown in the figuie below:

Copyright: Rene Barrientos Page 16







Since '(t) = A(t)B((t)),
'(t)
B((t))
= A(t)
Therefore, integrating from x
0
to x,
_
'(t)
B((t))
x
x
0
Jt = _A(t)
x
x
0
Jt
Let s = (t), then Js =
i
(t)Jt. Also, when t = x
0
, s = (x
0
) = y
0
and when t = x, s = (x) = y.
Thus,
_
Js
B(s)

0
= _A(t)
x
x
0
Jt
Conversely, we can show that if
_
Js
B(s)

0
= _ A(t)
x
x
0
Jt
then y satisfies the IVP.
Exercise: Use the FTC to establish the following: If
_
1
B(s)
Js

0
= _A(t)
x
x
0
Jt
Then
Jy
Jx
= A(x)B(y); y(x
0
) = y
0

Hint: Use the following results:
J
Jx
_ g(u)
x
u
Ju = g(x)
and
J
Jx
_ g(u)
u(x)
u
Ju = g(u(x))u
i
(x)
x
0

y
0

y (t)
x t