Solution of Linear Differential Equation

Here you will learn how to find solution of linear differential equation of first order first degree with examples.

Let’s begin –

Solution of Linear Differential Equation

(1) Linear Differential Equation of the form \(dy\over dx\) + Py = Q

A differential equation is linear if the dependent variable (y) and its derivative appear only in first degree.

The general form of a linear differential equation is 

\(dy\over dx\)  + Py = Q

where P and Q are functions of x (or constants)

This type of differential equations are solved when they are multiplied a factor, which is called integrating factor, because by multiplication of this factor the left hand side of the differential equation (i) becomes exact differential of some function.

Algorithm :

1). Write the differential equation in the form \(dy\over dx\)  + Py = Q and obtain P and Q

2). find the integrating factor (I. f.) given by I.f = \(e^{\int Pdx}\)

3). Multiply both sides of equation in step 1 by I.f.

4). Integrate both sides of the equation obtained in step 3 with respect to x to obtain 

y(I.f) = \(\int\) Q(I.f) dx + C, which gives the required solution.

Example : Solve the differential equation : \(dy\over dx\) – \(y\over x\) = \(2x^2\)

Solution : We are given that,

\(dy\over dx\) – \(y\over x\) = \(2x^2\)

Clearly it is a differential equation of the form

\(dy\over dx\) + Py = Q , where P = \(-1\over x\) and Q = \(2x^2\)

Now, I.f = \(e^{\int Pdx}\) = \(e^{\int (-1/x)dx}\) = \(e^{-log x}\) = \(1\over x\)

By algorithm, the solution is

y\(1\over x\) = \(\int\) 2x dx + C

\(\implies\) \(y\over x\) = \(x^2\) + C

\(\implies\) y = \(x^3\) + Cx, which is the required solution.

(2) Linear Differential Equation of the form \(dx\over dy\) + Rx = S

Sometimes a linear differential equation can be put in the form \(dx\over dy\) + Rx = S where R and S are functions of y or constants

Note that here y is independent variable and x  is a dependent variable.

Algorithm :

1). Write the differential equation in the form \(dx\over dy\) + Rx = S and obtain R and S

2). find the integrating factor (I. f.) given by I.f = \(e^{\int Rdy}\)

3). Multiply both sides of equation in step 1 by I.f.

4). Integrate both sides of the equation obtained in step 3 with respect to x to obtain 

x(I.f) = \(\int\) S(I.f) dy + C, which gives the required solution.

Example : Solve the differential equation : ydx + \(x – y^3\) dy = 0

Solution : We are given that,

ydx + \(x – y^3\) dy = 0

\(\implies\) \(dy\over dx\) + \(x\over y\) = \(y^2\)

Clearly it is a differential equation of the form

\(dx\over dy\) + Ry = S , where R = \(1\over y\) and S = \(y^2\)

Now, I.f = \(e^{\int Rdy}\) = \(e^{\int (1/y)dy}\) = \(e^{log y}\) = y

By algorithm, the solution is

xy = \(\int\) \(y^3\) dy + C

\(\implies\) xy = \(y^4\over 4\) + C, which is the required solution.

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