First order first degree differential equations

2.6 Section-D
First order first degree exact differential equations

2.D.1: First order first degree exact differential equation: A

differential equation of the form
M(x, y) dx + N(x, y) dy = 0
is said to be first order first degree exact differential equation if its left
hand side is the exact differential of some function u(x, y).
That is, du(x, y) = M(x, y) dx + N(x, y) dy

Example (2.D.1): The differential equation (x2 + y2)dx + 2xy dy = 0

is an exact differential equation, because
1
d( x3 + xy2) = (x2 + y2)dx + 2xy dy.
3

Theorem (2.D.1): The differential equation

Mdx + Ndy = 0 where M and N are the functions of x and y;
M N
is exact iff = .
y x
Proof: Necessary condition: The differential equation Mdx + Ndy = 0
will be exact if du = Mdx + Ndy ....... (i)
where u is a function of x and y.
u u
Since u = u(x, y),  du = dx + dy ......... (ii)
x y
Comparing equation (i) and (ii), we get
u u
M= and N =
x y
M  2u N  2u
Or, = and =
y yx x xy
 u
2
 u
2
M N
Since = ,  = ; this is the necessary condition.
yx xy y x

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 First order first degree differential equations

M N
Sufficient condition: = is given, we have to prove that
y x
Mdx + Ndy = 0 is exact.
 u
Let  Mdx = u ; So,
x  Mdx =
x
;

u M  2u
Or, M = ; Or, =
x y yx
M N N  u
2
  u 
;   
yx x  y 
Since = = =
y x x
Integrating with respect to x taking y as a constant, we have
u
N= + f(y) ; here f(y) is a function of y alone.
y
u u
 Mdx + Ndy = dx + [ + f(y)]dy
x y
u u
= dx + dy + f(y)dy
x y

= du + f(y)dy = du + d f ( y )dy
= d[u +  f ( y)dy ]
It shows that the differential equation Mdx + Ndy = 0 is exact. [Proved]

2.D.2 Method of solution of an exact differential equation: Let

Mdx + Ndy = 0 is an exact differential equation, then it becomes

d[u + f ( y )dy ] = 0 ...... (i)
where u =  Mdx and f(y) are the terms of N not containing x.
Integrating (i) we have, u +  f ( y )dy = c
So, the solution of the differential equation Mdx + Ndy = 0 is
M N
 Mdx +  [terms of N not containing x]dy = c; provided =
y x

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 First order first degree differential equations

Example (2.D.2): Solve (x2 + y2)dx + 2xy dy = 0.

Solution: Given that (x2 + y2)dx + 2xy dy = 0
Here, M = x2 + y2 and N = 2xy
M N
 = 2y and = 2y
y x
M N
Since = , the given equation is exact.
y x
The solution is
 Mdx +  [terms of
y cons tan t
N not containing x]dy = c

i.e., 
y cons tan t
( x 2  y 2 )dx = c [There is no term of N not containing x]
1 3
Or, x + xy2 = c [Answer]
3

Example (2.D.3): Solve (3x2y – 6x)dx + (x3 + 2y)dy = 0.

Solution: Given that (3x2y – 6x)dx + (x3 + 2y)dy = 0
Here, M = 3x2y – 6x and N = x3 + 2y
M N
 = 3x2 and = 3x2
y x
M N
Since = 3x2 = , the given equation is exact.
y x
The solution is
 Mdx +  [terms of N not containing x]dy = c
That is,  (3x y  6 x)dx +  2 ydy = c
2

Or, x3y – 3x2 + y2 = c [Answer]

Example (2.D.4): Solve (2x + 3y – 6) dy = (6x – 2y – 7) dx.

Solution: Given that (6x – 2y – 7) dx + (6 – 2x – 3y) dy = 0
Here, M = 6x – 2y – 7 and N = 6 – 2x – 3y
M N
 = – 2 and =–2
y x

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 First order first degree differential equations

M N
Since =–2= , the given equation is exact.
y x
The solution is
 Mdx +  [terms of N not containing x]dy = c
That is,  (6 x  2 y  7)dx +  (6  3 y)dy = c
3 2
Or, 3x2 – 3xy – 7x + 6y – y =c [Answer]
2
Example (2.D.5): Solve (x3 + 3xy2)dx + (y3 + 3x2y)dy = 0.
Solution: Given that (x3 + 3xy2)dx + (y3 + 3x2y)dy = 0
Here, M = x3 + 3xy2 and N = y3 + 3x2y
M N
 = 6xy and = 6xy
y x
M N
Since = 6xy = , the given equation is exact.
y x
The solution is
 Mdx +  [terms of N not containing x]dy = c
That is,  ( x  3xy )dx +  y dy = c
3 2 3

1 4 3 2 2 1 4
Or, x + x y + y =c
4 2 4
Or, x4 + 6x2y2 + y4 = c/ [Answer]

Example (2.D.6): Show that the differential equation

(Pdx + Qdy) e  
f ( x ) dx g ( y ) dy
= 0 (P and Q are functions of x and y)
P Q
is exact if – = Q f(x) – P g(y).
y x
Proof: Given that (Pdx + Qdy) e 
f ( x ) dx  g ( y ) dy
= 0 ........... (i)
Here, M = P e   and N = Q e 
f ( x ) dx g ( y ) dy f ( x ) dx  g ( y ) dy

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 First order first degree differential equations

M f ( x ) dx  g ( y ) dy P
= e + P e
f ( x ) dx  g ( y ) dy
 .g(y)
y y
N f ( x ) dx  g ( y ) dy Q
= e + Q e
f ( x ) dx  g ( y ) dy
and .f(x)
x x
M N
The condition for exactness of a differential equation is = .
y x
P
e  + P e
f ( x ) dx g ( y ) dy f ( x ) dx  g ( y ) dy
 .g(y) =
y
f ( x ) dx  g ( y ) dy Q
e + Q e
f ( x ) dx  g ( y ) dy
.f(x)
x
 P Q 
Or, e 
f ( x ) dx  g ( y ) dy  f ( x ) dx  g ( y ) dy Q. f ( x)  P.g ( y)
  =e
 y x 
P Q
Or, – = Q f(x) – P g(y) [Proved]
y x
Example (2.D.7): Prove that the differential equation
(Pdx + Qdy) e 
f ( x ) dx
= 0 (P and Q are functions of x and y);
P Q
is exact if = + Q f(x).
y x
Proof: Given that (Pdx + Qdy) e 
f ( x ) dx
=0 ........... (i)
Here, M = P e  and N = Q e 
f ( x ) dx f ( x ) dx

M f ( x ) dx P N f ( x ) dx Q
= e = e + Q e
f ( x ) dx
 and .f(x)
y y x x
M N
The condition for exactness of a differential equation is = .
y x
f ( x ) dx P f ( x ) dx Q
e = e + Q e
f ( x ) dx
 .f(x)
y x
P Q
Or, = + Q.f(x) [Proved]
y x
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 First order first degree differential equations

2.D.3 Exercise:
1. Define exact differential equation with examples and its rules for
solution.
2. Prove that the differential equation M(x, y)dx + N(x, y)dy = 0 is
M ( x, y ) N ( x, y )
exact if and only if = .
y x
3. Solve the following exact differential equations:
(i) (y – x)dx + (x + y)dy = 0 [Ans: y2 + 2xy – x2 = c]
(ii) (2x + y – 1)dy + (2y – x – 5)dx = 0
[Ans: y2 + 4xy – x2 – 10x – 2y = c]
(iii) (x – ay)dx + (y2 – ax)dy = 0 [Ans: x3 – 3axy + y3 = c]
2

(iv) (tan y – 3x2)dx + x sec2y dy = 0 [Ans: x tan y – x3 = c]

(v) 2(3xy2 + 2x3)dx + 3(2x2y + y3)dy = 0
[Ans: 4x4 + 12x2y2 + 3y4 = c]
(vi) (e sin y + e–y)dx + (ex cos y – xe–y)dy = 0
x

[Ans: ex siny + xe–y = c]

(vii) (3x + 2y – 5)dx + (2x + 3y – 5)dy = 0
[Ans: 3x2 + 4xy + 3y2 – 10x – 10y = c]
(viii) (2y – x – 1)dy + (2x – y + 1)dx = 0
[Ans: x2 – xy + y2 + x – y = c]
(ix) (x + 2y)dx + (2x + 3y)dy = 0 [Ans: x2 + 4xy + 3y2 = c]

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