BUENAVISTA COMMUNITY COLLEGE

Cangawa, Buenavista, Bohol

Telefax: (038)5139169/Tel.: 513-9179

Linear Equations of the First Order

I. Overview:
A differential equation which is of the first degree in dependent variable and in each
of its derivatives is called a linear differential equation.

II. Specific Objectives: At the end of the lesson, the students are expected to:
a)identify a linear DE;
b) solve the general solution of a linear DE;
c) find the particular solution with a given condition of a DE.
III. Learning Session:
A differential equation which is of the first degree in dependent variable and
in each of its derivatives is called a linear differential equation. Thus
dy
+ P(x) y = Q(x) (1)
dx
is a linear differential equation of the first order.
An equation of the form (1) may be solved in the following manner.
Multiplying both sides of (1) by the expression e∫ P(dx) , we have
dy ∫ P(dx )
+ P(x) y e∫ P(dx) = Q(x) e∫ P(dx),
dx e
which can be written in the form
d
(y ∫ P(dx )) = Q(x) e∫ P(dx).
dx e
Hence, by integration, we obtain the general solution

y e∫ P(dx ) = ∫ Q ( x ) e∫ P (dx )dx + C.

dy
Example 1: Solve the equation
dx
+ y cot x = 1.

Solution: For the integrating factor, we have

e∫
P(dx )
= e∫ cot x dx = e ln sin x = sin x

Math 401 - Differential Equation (Module 4) 1

 Multiplying both sides of the given equation by sin x, we obtain
dy
sin x
dx
+ y cot x (sin x) = 1(sin x)

dy
sin x
dx
+ y cos x = sin x

Integration,

y sin x = ∫ sin x dx = -cos x + c.

Hence,
−cos x c
y= +
sin x sin x
;
y = -cot x + c csc x.

Example 2: Find the particular solution of the differential equation

dy 3 y
− = 2; that satisfies y = 6 when x = 2.
dx x
Solution: For the integrating factor, we have
−3 dx dx
P(dx )
= e∫ = e−3∫ x = e−3 lnx = e ln x = x-3
−3

e∫ x

Multiplying both sides of the given equation by x3, we obtain

dy 3 y -3
x-3 − x = 2x-3
dx x
−3
y x-3 = 2∫ x dx = - x-2 + c

y = -x + cx3
Substituting the values y = 6 and x = 2 we get,

6 = -2 + c(2)3 ; c=1

Therefore, y = x3 - x

 Equations Reducible to Linear Equations

Any non-linear equation that can be written in the form
dy
dx
{f (y)} + P(x) f(y) = Q(x)

Math 401 - Differential Equation (Module 4) 2

 is said to be linear in f(y), and may be solved as a linear equation.
The equation, named for the Swiss mathematician Jacob Bernoulli (1654-
1705),

dy
+ P(x) y = Q(x) yn, (n≠1)
dx

can be solved in this manner. Thus, dividing by yn, we have

dy
y-n + P(x) y –n+1
= Q(x) ,
dx

and the substitution y –n+1

= z reduces the equation above to the linear
form

1 dy
+ P(x) z = Q(x).
1−n dx

dy y y2
Example 1. Solve + = 2. (1)
dx x x
Solution: This is a Bernoulli equation with n = 2. And divide y2 in the whole
equation,
dy y y2 dy 1 -1 1
[ dx + x = 2 ]÷ y2 ; y-2
dx
+ x
y = 2 (2)
x x
Hence we set y-1 = z, and derive as -y-2dy = dz therefore (2) reduces to
dz z −1
- = . (3)
dx x x2
For this equation P(x) = -1/x; hence the integrating factor is
1 dx 1 1
e∫
P(dx )
= e−∫ x = e−ln x = e ln ( x ) = x .

1
Multiplying both sides of (3) by ; we find
x
1 dz 1 z −1 1 1 dz z −1
- = ; - 2 =
x dx xx x2 x x dx x x3
z dx 1 z 1 1 1+ c x 2
Hence; = −∫ 3 = 2 + C; = +C; z= + Cx =
x x 2x x 2 x2 2x 2x
where c = 2C.
Putting 1/y for z, the general solution of (1) may be expressed in the form

Math 401 - Differential Equation (Module 4) 3

 1 1+ C x 2 2x
= ; Therefore: y=
y 2x 1+ c x 2

Note: Two general solutions of a differential equation are equivalent when one constant of
integration can be expressed in terms of the other. Thus, y = x + c(x – 1) and y = 1 + c’(x + 1) are
equivalent since c’ = c + 1. The constant is usually chosen so as to give tha final result its simplest
form.

Example 2. Find the solution of y’ + xe-y = -2x that satisfies the condition y = 0 when x = 0.

Solution: Placing e-y= z, the given equation reduces to the linear equation

z’ + 2xz = -x
2
Multiplying by e x and integrating gives
2 1 x 2
1
2
ze x = - e + C, or ey = Ce− x - . (3)
2 2
3
Applying the condition y = 0 when x= 0 in (3), we fine C = . Hence the required solution is
2
3 −x 1
2

y = ln ( e − ).
2 2

IV. Application of Learning: Determine which of the following differential equations are
exact, and solve each equation that is exact.

dy y 1 dy
1. + = . 3. x + 2 y=xy2.
dx 2x y dx

dy dy
2. + y = 2cos x. 4. + y tan x = sec x.
dx dx

dy
5. Prove that the general solution of sin 2x – 2y = -2cos x is y = sec x +
dx
ctan x.
dy 1
6. Find the particular solution of x + 2 y=¿xy2 ; y = when x = 3. .
dx 3
.

Note: Write your answer in a yellow paper and pass it during our meeting. This will serve as your quiz.

Math 401 - Differential Equation (Module 4) 4