DE2022: The INTEGRATING FACTOR

Linear Differential Equations of the

First Order in y
The INTEGRATING FACTOR

A differential equation (DE) which can be put in

the form dy/dx + Py = 0 (eqn. 1)

where, P and Q are functions of x alone or

constants

and whose derivation of the general formula for

the complete solution of eqn. 1 follows:
The INTEGRATING FACTOR

The solution of dy/dx + Py = 0 or dy/y = - Pdx

is ln y = - ʃ Pdx + ln k;
where k is the constant of integration

Using : ln M a - ln N = ln (M/N) and e ^ ln u = u

ln (y/k) = - ʃ Pdx;
e^ln (y/k) = e^(-ʃ Pdx); y/k = e^(-ʃ Pdx)
y = k e^(-ʃ Pdx) or y e^ʃ Pdx = k (eqn. 2)
The INTEGRATING FACTOR

Differentiating eqn. 2 with respect to y gives

e^ʃ Pdx (dy + Pydx) = 0
This shows that e^ʃ Pdx is an integrating factor
(IF or if) of eqn. 1

Multiplying eqn. 1 by the IF changes it into an

exact equation
e^ʃ Pdx (dy + Pydx) = e^ʃ Pdx • Qdx which upon
integration results to
y e^ʃ Pdx = ʃe^ʃ Pdx • Qdx + c
The INTEGRATING FACTOR

Thus, the complete solution of eqn. 1 is

y = e^(-ʃ Pdx) ʃ e^ʃ Pdx • Qdx + c
A summary of solving equations of the form
dy/dx + P(x)y = Q(x) is as follows:
• Compute for the IF e^ʃ Pdx noting that for any expression
u, e^ln u = u
• Multiply both sides of the equation by the IF
• The left member of the equation in step 2 is always just y
times the IF. Integrate the right member of the equation
in step 2
• Solve the integrated equation for y
The INTEGRATING FACTOR

Example 1. dy/dx – y/x = 2 ln x

Solution: P = -1/x and Q = 2 ln x
IF: e^ʃ Pdx = e^ʃ(-1/x)dx = e^(-ln x) = e^ln x^-1
= 1/x
y e^ʃ Pdx = ʃe^ʃ Pdx • Qdx + c
y (1/x) = ʃ (1/x) • (2 ln x) dx + c
= 2 ʃ ln x • dx/x + c
y = 2x [(ln x)^2]/2 + cx
y = x ln^2 x + cxAnswer
The INTEGRATING FACTOR

Example 2. dy/dx – y tan x= 1 – (x + 5) tan x

Solution: P = -tan x and Q = 1 – (x + 5) tan x
IF: e^ʃ Pdx = e^ʃ(-tan x)dx = e^ln cos x)
= cos x
y e^ʃ Pdx = ʃe^ʃ Pdx • Qdx + c
y cos x = ʃ [cos x - (x + 5)sin x] dx + c
= (x + 5) cos x + c
y = [(x + 5) cos x + c]/cos x
y = x + 5 + c sec x Answer
The INTEGRATING FACTOR

Example 2. dx/dy = [5y^3 – 2x]/y

Note: given is dx/dy, then the form is dx/dy + P(y)x = Q(y)
: linear in x
Solution: Equation becomes dx/dy + (2/y)x = 5y^2 thus
P = 2/y and Q = 5y^2
IF: e^ʃ Pdx = e^ʃ(2/y)dy = e^ln y^2 = y^2
y e^ʃ Pdx = ʃe^ʃ Pdx • Qdx + c
x (y^2) = ʃ y^2 • 5y^2 dy + c
= y^5 + c
x = [y^5 + c]/y^2
x = y^3 + c y^-2 Answer
The INTEGRATING FACTOR

Exercises:

1. dy/dx = 2y / x + 4x^3

2. dy/dx + (1/x + tan x) y = 2 sec x

3. (1 – x^2) dy/dx – xy = 3x (1 – x^2)

4. y dx = (e^y + 2xy – 2x) dy