DIFFERENTIAL

EQUATIONS
REVIEW (FIRST SEMESTER)
STEPS FOR SOLVING
•  SEPARATION OF VARIABLES

1. Simplify the equation.

2. Separate the common variables to its corresponding derivative.
3. Solve by Integration.
4. Simplify and write the final answer.
•  EQUATION WITH HOMOGENOUS COEFFICIENTS

-if the functions of M and N are homogenous and have the same degree.
1. Simplify the equation as much as possible.
2. Let x=vy or y=vx; then dx=vdy+ydv or dy=vdx+xdv
3. Substitute the values of x or y, and dx or dy (depending to the substitution
you used).
4. Simplify and solve using integration.
5. Substitute back to make the equation in terms of x and y.
6. Simplify and write the final answer.
•  EXACT EQUATIONS
Having an equation in the form of

1. Test the equation if it is EXACT, by dM/dy and dN/dx. Their values must
be equal (even the signs).
2. To solve, equate the values of M and N to dF/dx and dF/dy, respectively.
3. Pick only one in which you want to integrate, then integrate.
4. Write the answer with the constant ‘function’ { C(x) or C(y)}.
To find the constant ‘function’:
5. Differentiate the answer found by integration in terms of the variable
you did not use from integrating.
6. Equate the answer found to the equation you did not integrate, then
solve and simplify.
7. Substitute the value found to the equation found in step 4.
8. Simplify and write the final answer.
•  LINEAR EQUATION OF ORDER ONE
or )
1. Write or simplify the given equation in the form given above.
2. Determine the value of P(x) and Q(x) or P(y) and Q(y).
3. To solve, solve first the integrating factor (IF).
-if in the form, use IF=
- if in the form, ), use IF=
4. Solve the equation. When in the form of:
- dy/dx, use
- dx/dy, use x
5. Simplify and write the final answer.
•  INTEGRATING FACTOR FOUND BY INSPECTION
-If the given equation can be simplified having these common equations:

1. Simplify the equation in terms of the derivative above.

2. Solve by integration.
3. Simplify and write the final answer.
•  DETERMINATION OF INTEGRATING FACTOR
Given an equation in the form of

1. Check if it is an exact equation by dM/dy and dN/dx.

2. If not check with these two cases, and solve for the integrating factor:
Case 1: if [ - = F(x), use IF (integrating factor)=
Case 2: if [ - = G(y), use IF (integrating factor)=
3. Multiply the integrating factor found to the original equation.
4. Simplify and solve the equation by any methods applicable.
5. Simplify your answer and write the final answer.
 BERNOULLI’S EQUATION AND SUBSTITUTION METHOD

SUBSTITUTION METHOD
1. Check if a value in the equation can be easily substituted for
simplification and for easy integration.
2. If it can be, let the value be equal to another variable, and find its
derivative.
3. Substitute the new variable and the derivative that corresponds to it.
NOTE: the variable that you want to be substituted by the new one,
should disappear, even its derivative.
4. Solve by the appropriate integration method.
5. Simplify and write the final answer.
 BERNOULLI’S EQUATION AND SUBSTITUTION METHOD

SUBSTITUTION METHOD
1. Check if a value in the equation can be easily substituted for
simplification and for easy integration.
2. If it can be, let the value be equal to another variable, and find its
derivative.
3. Substitute the new variable and the derivative that corresponds to it.
NOTE: the variable that you want to be substituted by the new one,
should disappear, even its derivative.
4. Solve by the appropriate integration method.
5. Simplify and write the final answer.
•  BERNOULLI’S EQUATION

1. Simplify the given equation to the form given above.

2. Multiply the whole equation by

3. Let z= , dz
4. Substitute these values to the equation, which leads to:

5. Multiply both sides by (-n+1), which leads to a linear equation:

6. Solve the linear equation by its method.

 COEFFICIENT LINEAR IN TWO EQUATIONS

1. Let M and N equal to zero.

2. Find the value of x and y (h,k) by substitution or elimination;
3. Let x=u+h, and y=v+k; and dx-du, dy=dv
4. Substitute the values found to the original equation.
5. Simplify and solve.
6. Substitute back to make the equation in terms of x and y.
7. Find the value of C, (if only x and y have a value).
8. Write the Final answer.