DIFFERENTIAL EQUATIONS

A differential equation is an equation that

contains derivatives or differentials.
Examples:
2

1)
2)
3).

d y
dy
+ 5 +6 y=0
2
dx
dx
dy=( 2 x + y ) dx
z
z
+2x
=5
x
y

Types of differential equations:

1. Ordinary one that contains only one
independent variable. (Examples 1 & 2)
2. Partial on ethat contains two or more
independent variables. (Example 3)

which will consequently transform the equation

into one that is variable separable.

III. Exact
The equation M(x,y)dx + N(x,y)dy = 0 is exact
if

M N
=
y x

The solution is obtained by using the equation

DI + NDI =c

where
DI is the sum of directly
integrable
integrals such as
f ( x ) dx or

g ( y ) dy

of
the equation and
NDI is the sum of non-directly
Integrable integrals i.e integrals of the
form
f ( x , y ) dx g ( x , y ) dy of

The order of a differential equation is the order

of the highest-ordered derivative appearing in
the equation. In the above examples, the first is
of order two and the second is of order one.
The degree of a differential equation is the
power of the highest-ordered derivative
occurring in the equation. In the above
examples, both are of degree one.
The equation is considered linear if it is of the
first degree in the dependent variable and its
derivatives.
A solution to a differential equation is an
equation, free of derivatives, that satisfies the
given equation. If the solution contains at least
one arbitrary constant, it is classified as general
solution; if the solution doesnt have any
arbitrary constant, then it is classified as
particular solution.
First Order Differential Equations:
I. Variable Separable
A first order equation is variable separable if it
can be transformed into the form
A(x)dx + B(y)dy = 0
The solution is obtained by integrating each term
of the above equation.
II. Homogeneous
A function f(x, y) is homogeneous of degree k
if there is a number such that
F(x, y) = kf(x, y)
The equation M(x, y)dx + N(x, y)dy = 0 belongs
to this type if M(x, y) and N(x, y) are
homogeneous of the same degree. The solution
can be obtained by replacing x by vy or y by vx

the

equation taken from either the first or the

second term of the given equation.
IV. Linear Equation of Order One
A first order equation belongs to this type if it
can be transformed into the form

dy
+ P ( x ) y=Q (x)
dx

The solution is obtained by first solving for the

integrating factor (IF) using
Pdx
IF =

and substituting into the equation

y ( IF ) = Q ( IF ) dx
V. Bernoullis Equation
A first order equation belongs to this type if it
can be transformed into the form

dy
+ P ( x ) y=Q (x) y n
dx

The solution can be obtained by dividing both

sides of the equation by yn thus getting
n

dy
1n
+ P ( x ) y =Q(x)
dx

Using the substitution z = y1 n the equations is

transformed into a linear equation of order one.
Review Exercises:
1. The equation y2 = cx is the general solution of
A. y = 2y/x
C. y = y/2x

B. y = 2x/y

D. y = x/2y

2. Determine the differential equation of lines

passing through (h, k).
A. (y k)dx (x h)dy = 0
B. (x h) + (y k) =dy/dx
C. (x h)dx (y k)dy = 0
D. (x + h)dx (y k)dy = 0

( x 2 +9 )
C.

D.

[ 3 /2+ 125]
1
y=
3
2
( x + 9)
[ 3 / 2125]
1
y=
3

3. What is the differential equation of the family

of parabolas having their vertices at the origin
and their foci on the y-axis?
A. 2ydx xdy = 0
B. 2xdx ydy = 0
C. ydx - 2xdy = 0
D. ydx + 2xdy = 0

6. Solve the differential equation:

y = 1 + x + y + xy
A. y = x + (1/2)x2 + xy + (1/2)x2y + c
B. y = y ln |1+ x| + c
C. y = x + (1/2)x2 + c
D. ln |1+ y| = x + (1/2)x2 + c

4. Which of the following is a solution of the

differential equation 4y + 9y = 0?
A. y = c1ex + c2ex
B. y = c1e(2/3)x + c2ex
C. y = c1 cos x + c2 sin x
D. y = c1 cos (3x/2) + c2 sin (3x/2)

7. Solve the differential equation

3xy + y = 12x
A. y = 3x + cx 1/3
B. y = 3x + c
C. y = 4x + cx1/3
D. y = 4x + cx 1/3

5. Solve the differential equation

dy=x x 2 +9 dx

if the curve passes through (4, 0).

A.
B.

3/ 2
1
y= ( x 2 +9 ) +13
3
3/ 2
1 2
y= ( x +9 ) 13
3

Answer Key
1. C
2. A
3. A
4. D
5. D
6. D
7. A