UNIT-II

DIFFERENTIAL EQUATIONS OF FIRST ORDER AND FIRST DEGREE

Differential equation: An equation involving derivatives is called a differential equation.

Ordinary differential equation: A differential equation involving ordinary
derivatives(derivatives of functions of single variable) is called an ordinary differential equation.
3
𝑑2 𝑦 2 𝑑𝑦
Ex: (𝑑𝑥 2 ) + 2𝑥 𝑑𝑥 = 𝑦 2

Partial differential equation: A differential equation involving partial derivatives(derivatives of

functions of two or more variables) is called a partial differential equation.
𝜕3𝑧 𝜕𝑧 2 𝜕𝑧
Ex: − 5𝑥 2 𝑦 (𝜕𝑦) = 2𝑒 𝑥 (𝜕𝑥)
𝜕𝑥 3

Order of a differential equation: The order of the highest order derivative involved in a
differential equation is called the order of the differential equation.
3
𝑑2 𝑦 2 𝑑𝑦
Ex: The order of the differential equation (𝑑𝑥 2 ) + 2𝑥 𝑑𝑥 = 𝑦 2 is 2.

Degree of a differential equation: The degree of the differential equation is the degree of the
highest ordered derivative appearing it,after the equation has been expressed in a form free
from fractional powers .
3
𝑑2 𝑦 2 𝑑𝑦
Ex: The order of the differential equation ( ) + 2𝑥 = 𝑦 2 is 3.
𝑑𝑥 2 𝑑𝑥

Formation of ordinary differential equation:

By eliminating arbitrary constants from a relation we can form the ordinary differential equation.
Working rule for the formation of ordinary differential equation:
1.Consider a relation of the form 𝑓(𝑥, 𝑦, 𝑐1 , 𝑐2 , … 𝑐𝑛 ) = 0 where 𝑐1 , 𝑐2 … . , 𝑐𝑛 are n arbitrary
constants.
2.Differentiate the given relation successively n times.
3.With the help of n relations obtained and the given relation eliminate the n arbitrary constants
to get
the required differential equation.

Solution of a differential equation: A relation between dependent and independent variables

which satisfies a differential equation is called a solution of the differential equation.
𝑑𝑦 −2
Ex: Consider 𝑑𝑥 = 𝑦. for this equation ,𝑦 = 𝑒 𝑥 , 𝑦 = 3𝑒 𝑥 , 𝑦 = 5 𝑒 𝑥 are the solutions for all x.

General solution of a differential equation: A solution of a differential equation in which the

number of arbitrary constants is equal to order of the differential equation is called general
solution of a differential equation.
Ex: 𝑦 = 𝑐𝑒 𝑥 is the general solution of the differential equation.
Particular solution of a differential equation: A solution of a differential equation which is
obtained by giving particular values for the arbitrary constants in the general soution is called
particular solution of the differential equation.
𝑑𝑦
Ex: 𝑦 = 𝑒 𝑥 , 𝑦 = 2𝑒 𝑥 are the particular solutions of 𝑑𝑥 = 𝑦.
Exact differential equation: A differential equation 𝑀𝑑𝑥 + 𝑁𝑑𝑦 = 0 be a first order and first
degree differential equation ,Where M and N are real valued functions of x and y. Then the
equation 𝑀𝑑𝑥 + 𝑁𝑑𝑦 = 0 is said to be exact differential eqution if there exists a function f(x,y)
such that
𝜕𝑓 𝜕𝑓
= 𝑀, 𝜕𝑦 = 𝑁 𝑖. 𝑒 𝑑𝑓 = 𝑀𝑑𝑥 + 𝑁𝑑𝑦.
𝜕𝑥
𝜕𝑀 𝜕𝑁
Note: Condition for Exactness is = .
𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑥

Working rule to solve Exact Differential Equation:

Step I: Write the given differential equation in the form 𝑀𝑑𝑥 + 𝑁𝑑𝑦 = 0.
𝜕𝑀 𝜕𝑁
Step2:Verify the condition for exactness 𝜕𝑦 = 𝜕𝑥 . If it is exact go to next step.
Step3: The general solution is obtained from
∫ 𝑀 𝑑𝑥 + ∫(𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑚𝑠 𝑜𝑓 𝑁 𝑛𝑜𝑡 𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑡𝑎𝑖𝑛𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑥)𝑑𝑦 = 𝑐

Integrating Factor: A non exact differential equation can be made exact by multiplying with a
function of x and y say 𝑓(𝑥, 𝑦), then 𝑓(𝑥, 𝑦) is called an integrating factor of that differntial
equation.
1 1 1 1
Ex: 𝑦 2 , 𝑥 2 , 𝑥𝑦 , 𝑥 2 +𝑦 2 are all integrating factors of the diffential equation 𝑦𝑑𝑥 − 𝑥𝑑𝑦 = 0.

Equations reducible to Exact Differential Equations:

Type I: If 𝑀𝑑𝑥 + 𝑁𝑑𝑦 = 0 is a non exact differential equation, is a homogeneous differential
1
equation and 𝑀𝑥 + 𝑁𝑦 ≠ 0 , then integrating factor = 𝑀𝑥+𝑁𝑦
Type II: If 𝑀𝑑𝑥 + 𝑁𝑑𝑦 = 0 is a non exact differential equation, is of the form
1
𝑦𝑓(𝑥𝑦)𝑑𝑥 + 𝑥𝑔(𝑥𝑦)𝑑𝑦 = 0 and if 𝑀𝑥 − 𝑁𝑦 ≠ 0 , then integrating factor= 𝑀𝑥−𝑁𝑦
1 𝜕𝑀 𝜕𝑁
Type III: If 𝑀𝑑𝑥 + 𝑁𝑑𝑦 = 0 is a non exact differential equation and if 𝑁 [ 𝜕𝑦 − 𝜕𝑥 ] = 𝑓(𝑥),
then
Integrating factor = 𝑒 ∫ 𝑓(𝑥)𝑑𝑥 .
1 𝜕𝑁 𝜕𝑀
Type IV: If 𝑀𝑑𝑥 + 𝑁𝑑𝑦 = 0 is anon exact differential equation and if 𝑀 [ 𝜕𝑥 − 𝜕𝑦 ] = 𝑔(𝑦), then
Integrating factor =𝑒 ∫ 𝑔(𝑦)𝑑𝑦 .
Type V: If 𝑀𝑑𝑥 + 𝑁𝑑𝑦 = 0 is a non exact differential equation and an integrating factor can be
found by inspection.

Linear differential Equation: A differential equation in which the dependent variable and its
derivatives occur only in the first degree and are not multiplied together is called a linear
differential equation.
𝑑𝑦 𝑑2 𝑦 𝑑𝑦
Ex: 𝑑𝑥 + 7𝑦 = 𝑥 2 , + 5 𝑑𝑥 − 𝑥𝑦 = 1
𝑑𝑥 2
Linear differential equation of the first order:
Any linear differential equation can be written in the form
𝑑𝑦 𝑑𝑥
+ 𝑃𝑦 = 𝑄 + 𝑃𝑥 = 𝑄
𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑦
Where P,Q are functions of x alone Where P,Q are functions of y alone
Working rule: Working rule:
Step1: Write the differential Step1:Write the given differential
𝑑𝑦 Or 𝑑𝑥
equation of the form 𝑑𝑥 + 𝑃𝑦 = 𝑄 equation in the form 𝑑𝑦 + 𝑃𝑥 = 𝑄
Step2: Find I.F .,where I.F=𝑒 ∫ 𝑃 𝑑𝑥 Step2:Find I.F., where 𝐼. 𝐹 = 𝑒 ∫ 𝑃 𝑑𝑦
Step3: The general solution is Step3:The general solution is given by
given by
𝑥(𝐼. 𝐹) = ∫ 𝑄(𝐼. 𝐹)𝑑𝑦 .
𝑦(𝐼. 𝐹) = ∫ 𝑄(𝐼. 𝐹)𝑑𝑥 .

Differential Equations Reducible to Linear differential Equations of the First order:

Type-I Bernoulli’s equation:

A differential equation of the form A differential equation of the form
𝑑𝑦 𝑑𝑥
+ 𝑃𝑦 = 𝑄𝑦 𝑛 + 𝑃𝑥 = 𝑄𝑥 𝑛
𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑦
Where P,Q are functions of x alone and n𝜖𝑅 Where P,Q are functions of y alone and n𝜖𝑅
Is called Bernoulli’s differential equation in Is called Bernoulli’s differential equation in x
y
Working Rule: Working Rule:
Step1:Write the differential equation is of Step1:Write the differential equation is of the
𝑑𝑦 𝑑𝑥
the form 𝑑𝑥 + 𝑃𝑦 = 𝑄𝑦 𝑛 form 𝑑𝑦 + 𝑃𝑥 = 𝑄𝑥 𝑛
Step2:Divide the equation with 𝑦 𝑛 and Step2:Divide the equation with 𝑥 𝑛 and
substitute 𝑦1−𝑛 = 𝑡 and hence substitute 𝑥1−𝑛 = 𝑡 and hence
𝑑𝑦 1 𝑑𝑡 𝑑𝑥 1 𝑑𝑡
𝑦 −𝑛 𝑑𝑥 = 1−𝑛 𝑑𝑥 𝑥 −𝑛 𝑑𝑦 = 1−𝑛 𝑑𝑦
Step3:Solve the resulting differential Step3:Solve the resulting differential equation
equation ,which will be a linear differential ,which will be a linear differential equation in
equation in ‘t’. ‘t’.
Step4: Replace ‘t’ by 𝑦1−𝑛 in the end to get Step4: Replace ‘t’ by𝑥1−𝑛 in the end to get
required solution. required solution.

Type-2
Differential equations of the form Differential equations of the form
𝑑𝑦 𝑑𝑥
𝑓 ′ (𝑦) + 𝑃𝑓(𝑦) = 𝑄 𝑓 ′ (𝑥) + 𝑃𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑄
𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑦
Where P,Q are functions of ‘x’ alone. Where P,Q are functions of ‘y’ alone.
Working Rule: Working Rule:
𝑑𝑦 𝑑𝑡 𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑡
Put f(y)=t and hence 𝑓 ′ (𝑦) 𝑑𝑥 = 𝑑𝑥 . Put f(x)=t and hence 𝑓 ′ (𝑥) 𝑑𝑦 = 𝑑𝑦 .
Applications of First Order and First Degree Differential Equations:
Orthogonal Trajectories:

Def: A curve which cuts every member of a family of curves at right angle is called an
orthogonal
trajectory of that family of curves.
If every member of a family (I) of curves cuts at right angles of every member of another
family
(II) of curves, then the family (I) is said to be a family of orthogonal trajectories of family
(II).Similarly
family (II) is also a orthogonal trajectories of family (I).
Ex: Family of straight lines passing through origin is orthogonal trajectories of the family of
circles
at having centre’s at origin.
Working Rule to Find Orthogonal Trajectories in Cartesian coordinates:
Step1:Form the differential equation corresponding to the given family of curves.
𝑑𝑦 𝑑𝑥
Step2:Replace 𝑑𝑥 𝑏𝑦 − 𝑑𝑦 in the obtained differential equation.
Step3:Solve the resulting differential equation to get the equation of the family of orthogonal
trajectories of the given family of curves.
Working Rule to Find Orthogonal Trajectories in Polar coordinates:
Step1:Form the differential equation corresponding to the given family of curves.
𝑑𝑟 𝑑𝜃
Step2:Replace 𝑑𝜃 𝑏𝑦 − 𝑟 2 𝑑𝑟 in the obtained differential equation.
Step3:Solve the resulting differential equation to get the equation of the family of orthogonal
trajectories of the given family of curves.

Newton’s Law of Cooling: The rate of change in temperature of a body is directly

proportional to
difference of temparatures of the body and temperature of the surrounding medium.

𝑑𝜃 𝑑𝜃
𝑖. 𝑒 ∝ (𝜃 − 𝜃0 ) ⇒ = −𝑘(𝜃 − 𝜃0 ) (‘-‘ indicates decrease in
𝑑𝑡 𝑑𝑡
temperature)
On solving
⇒ 𝜃 = 𝜃 0 + 𝑐𝑒 −𝑘𝑡
Here 𝜃 0 is the temperature of the surrounding medium. 𝜃 is the temperature of the body at any
time ‘t’.

Law of natural growth and decay: The rate of change in the amount of substance is directly
proportional to the amount of substance present at any time t.
𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑥
𝑖. 𝑒 ∝𝑥 ⇒ = 𝑘𝑥 ⇒ 𝑥 = 𝑐𝑒 𝑘𝑡 (𝐿𝑎𝑤 𝑜𝑓 𝑛𝑎𝑡𝑢𝑟𝑎𝑙 𝑔𝑟𝑜𝑤𝑡ℎ)
𝑑𝑡 𝑑𝑡
𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑥
∝𝑥 ⇒ = −𝑘𝑥 ⇒ 𝑥 = 𝑐𝑒 −𝑘𝑡 (𝐿𝑎𝑤 𝑜𝑓 𝑛𝑎𝑡𝑢𝑟𝑎𝑙 𝑑𝑒𝑐𝑎𝑦)
𝑑𝑡 𝑑𝑡