2) Differential Equations

Definitions:

A Differential Equation (DE) is an equation that involves derivatives

The solution of a DE is typically the original function
Because d ( F ( x ) )=f ( x ) is not a one-to-one rule, there are infinitely
many solutions, the general solution (+c)
Often theyll give you initial conditions (a point on the original
function). Finding the one function that solves the DE with the initial
conditions is finding the particular solution.

Solving for general solution

dy
=cos ( 3 x ) +2
dx

Original equation:

Take the integral of both sides:

This gives you the general solution:

dy

dx dx= (cos ( 3 x ) +2) dx

1
y= sin ( 3 x )+ 2 x +c
3

Getting the particular solution from the general solution

Using the general solution you got above and the initial conditions of
1
y ( ) =7 plug in for x and 7 for y: 7 = sin ( 3 ( ) ) +2 ( ) + c
3

Solve for c:

This gives you your particular solution of:

7 =0+2 +c=5 =c
1
y= sin ( 3 x )+ 2 x +5
3

Separation of variables

Sometimes you will be given an equation where x and y are on the

dy
same such as: dx =2 x + y

When this happens you get all variables of y on one side and all of x on
dy
the other: y =2 xdx

You then take the integral the same way you would as you solve for the
dy
2
general solution: y = 2 xdx which gives you y=x +c

Application: Acceleration, Velocity, and Position

d2 y
You are given the acceleration equation d x 2 =26 x
conditions of

y ( 0 )=1, y ' ( 0 ) =4

You take the integral of this to get the velocity equation

2

dd xy2 = 26 x

and initial

which comes to be

dy
=2 x3 x 2 +c
dx

You then solve for C using the initial conditions for y :

4=2 ( 0 ) 3 ( 0 )2+ c=00+c=4

giving you the equation

dy
=2 x3 x 2 +4
dx

Now take the integral of that equation to get your position

dy
dx = 2 x 3 x 2 +4 which comes to be y=x 2x 3 +4 x + c

Again, use the initial conditions given, y(0)=1, and plug this in to get c
1=( 0 )2 ( 0 )3 +4 ( 0 ) +c=00+ 0+c=1 as well as the position equation
y=x 2x 3 +4 x +1

Application: rates of change in the form of

dy
=ky
dx

Compound Interest
Say a person is getting continuously compound interest at an
interest rate of 6% with an initial amount of $1000. You start with
dy
the equation dt =0.06 y

You separate your x and y variables and get

can now take the integral

dy
= 0.06 dt
y

dy
=o . o 6 dt
y

and get

and

lny=0.06 t+c

Now you solve for c using the initial conditions of y(1000)=0 by

lny
0.06 t
0.06 t
solving for c e =e + c . Simplified you get y= A e
where A
is your initial amount so your final equation is

y=1000 e 0.06 t

Radioactive Decay

The equation is the same as compound interest but k is now

negative
Say the half-life of carbon-14 is 5700 years and we need to find
k.
kt
Use the equation y= A e
and plug in the numbers you know
1
=1 ek 5700
2
k=

ln 2
5700

and solve for k

1
ln =5700 k
2

1
2
=k
5700
ln