Steps for Solving an Exact Dierential Equation (Method 1) Dierential Equation: M (x, y)dx + N (x, y)dy = 0 M N = y x If equal, then

the equation is exact. If not equal, then try to make it exact using the following Step 1: Check if rules for nding an integrating factor: (Note: this may not always work.) If (My Nx )/N is a function of x only, then (x) = e If (Nx My )/M is a function of y only, then (y) = e
My Nx N Nx My M

dx dy

Multiply the integrating factor through M (x, y)dx + N (x, y)dy = 0 and proceed to step 2. Step 2: There exists a function such that Integrate with respect to x: f = M (x, y) x

f (x, y) =

M (x, y)dx + g(y)

(1)

Step 3: Take the partial derivative of equation(1) with respect to y and set equal to N (x, y) f = y y

M (x, y)dx + g (y) N (x, y)

(2)

Solve for g (y): y

g (y) = N (x, y)

M (x, y)dx

(3)

Step 4: Integrate equation(3) with respect to y, then substitute into equation(1). The explicit solution is in the form of f (x, y) = c, where c is a constant.

Steps for Solving an Exact Dierential Equation (Method 2) Dierential Equation: M (x, y)dx + N (x, y)dy = 0 M N = y x If equal, then the equation is exact. If not equal, then try to make it exact using the following Step 1: Check if rules for nding an integrating factor: (Note: this may not always work.) If (My Nx )/N is a function of x only, then (x) = e If (Nx My )/M is a function of y only, then (y) = e
My Nx N Nx My M

dx dy

Multiply the integrating factor through M (x, y)dx + N (x, y)dy = 0 and proceed to step 2. Step 2: There exists a function such that Integrate with respect to y: f = N (x, y) y

f (x, y) =

N (x, y)dy + g(x)

(4)

Step 3: Take the partial derivative of equation(4) with respect to x and set equal to M (x, y) f = x x

N (x, y)dy + g (x) M (x, y)

(5)

Solve for g (y): x

g (x) = M (x, y)

N (x, y)dy

(6)

Step 4: Integrate equation(6) with respect to x, then substitute into equation(4). The explicit solution is in the form of f (x, y) = c, where c is a constant.