Module Differential Equations

Chapter 1 Definitions, Families of Curves

Intended Learning Outcomes: At the end of this chapter, the students are expected to:

1. Classify the differential equations

2. Identify whether the differential equations is in implicit or explicit form; its order;
type; and its linearity
3. Eliminate arbitrary constants of the following differential equations; and solve for its
solution

1.1 Differential Equations

In general meaning, it is an equation that contains derivatives or differentials of

an unknown variables expressed either implicitly or explicitly.

𝑦 = 𝑓(𝑥)

where:
𝑦 − 𝑑𝑒𝑝𝑒𝑛𝑑𝑒𝑛𝑡 𝑣𝑎𝑟𝑖𝑎𝑏𝑙𝑒
𝑥 − 𝑖𝑛𝑑𝑒𝑝𝑒𝑛𝑑𝑒𝑛𝑡 𝑣𝑎𝑟𝑖𝑎𝑏𝑙𝑒

Explicit differential equation is a differential equation where the highest-order

derivative is explicitly written as a function of the independent variable, dependent
variable, and lower order derivatives. E.g.

 𝑦 ′ + 2𝑥 = 4
 𝑦 ′′ + 2𝑥𝑦 ′ + 𝑦 = 0
𝑑𝑦
 − 3𝑥 + 5 = 0
𝑑𝑥
𝑑2 𝑦 𝑑𝑦
 + 𝑑𝑥 − 3 = 0
𝑑𝑥 2

An ordinary differential equation is called implicit when the derivative of the

dependent variable, cannot be isolated and moved to the other side of the equal sign.
E.g.

 𝑑𝑦 + 2𝑥𝑑𝑥 = 4𝑑𝑥
 𝑑𝑦 + 3𝑥𝑑𝑥 + 5𝑑𝑥 = 0

1.2 Order of Differential Equations

The order of a differential equations is the order of the highest-ordered derivative

appearing in the equation.

Ex:
 𝑦 ′ + 2𝑥 − 1 = 0 1st Order Differential Equation
 𝑦 ′′ − 3 = 0 2nd Order Differential Equation
 𝑦 ′′ − 3𝑦 ′ 𝑥 − 4 = 0 2nd Order Differential Equation
𝑑3 𝑦 𝑑2 𝑦 𝑑𝑦
 − 𝑥 𝑑𝑥 2 + 𝑑𝑥 = 𝑥 3rd Order Differential Equation
𝑑𝑥 2
 𝑑𝑛𝑦
 𝑜𝑟 𝑦 𝑛𝑡ℎ 𝑝𝑟𝑖𝑚𝑒 nth Order Differential Equation
𝑑𝑥 𝑛

1.3 Types of Differential Equations

Type of differential equations can be determine according to the number of

variables involve in the equation.

Ordinary Differential Equations – a differential equation involving one

independent variable. E.g.

 𝑦 ′ − 3𝑦 − 4 = 0
𝑑2 𝑦 3𝑑𝑦
 − −4=0
𝑑𝑥 2 𝑑𝑥

where:

𝑦 𝑖𝑠 𝑑𝑒𝑝𝑒𝑛𝑑𝑒𝑛𝑡
𝑥 𝑖𝑠 𝑖𝑛𝑑𝑒𝑝𝑒𝑛𝑑𝑒𝑛𝑡

Partial Differential Equations – a differential equations involving two or more

independent variables. E.g.

𝑑𝑦 𝑑𝑦
 − 3𝑥 𝑑𝑧 + 4 = 0
𝑑𝑥

where:

𝑦 𝑖𝑠 𝑑𝑒𝑝𝑒𝑛𝑑𝑒𝑛𝑡
𝑥 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑧 𝑎𝑟𝑒 𝑖𝑛𝑑𝑒𝑝𝑒𝑛𝑑𝑒𝑛𝑡

1.4 Families of Curves

1. Straight Lines with Slope and y-intercept Equal

from: 𝑦 = 𝑚𝑥 + 𝑏 and 𝑚 = 𝑏; therefore 𝑦 = 𝑏𝑥 + 𝑏
𝑦 = 𝑏(𝑥 + 1) --------------------------------------------------------equation 1
𝑑𝑦
𝑑𝑦 = 𝑏𝑑𝑥 and 𝑏 = 𝑑𝑥 ----------------------------------------------equation 2
Substitute equation 2 to equation 1:
𝑑𝑦
𝑦 = 𝑑𝑥 (𝑥 + 1) and 𝑦𝑑𝑥 = 𝑑𝑦(𝑥 + 1)
𝑜𝑟 𝒚𝒅𝒙 − (𝒙 + 𝟏)𝒅𝒚 = 𝟎

2. Circles with Center at the Origin

from: 𝑥 2 + 𝑦 2 = 𝑟 2
2𝑥𝑑𝑥 + 2𝑦𝑑𝑦 = 0
𝒙𝒅𝒙 + 𝒚𝒅𝒚 = 𝟎

3. Parabolas with Vertex on the x-axis, with axis Parallel to the y-axis with distance
from focus to vertex fixed as
(𝑥 − ℎ)2 = 4𝑎𝑦
2(𝑥 − ℎ) = 4𝑎𝑦 ′

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 𝑥 − ℎ = 2𝑎𝑦 ′
𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑟𝑒𝑓𝑜𝑟𝑒 (2𝑎𝑦 ′ )2 = 4𝑎𝑦
′ 2
4𝑎2(𝑦 ) = 4𝑎𝑦
𝒂(𝒚′ )𝟐 = 𝒚

1.5 Linearity of Differential Equations

A general linear differential equation of order 𝑛, in the dependent variable 𝑦 and

the independent variable 𝑥, is an equation that can be expressed in the form

𝑑𝑛 𝑦 𝑑𝑛−1 𝑦 𝑑𝑦
𝑎0 (𝑥) 𝑑𝑥 𝑛 + 𝑎1 (𝑥) 𝑑𝑥 𝑛−1 + ⋯ + 𝑎𝑛−1 (𝑥) 𝑑𝑥 + 𝑎𝑛 (𝑥)𝑦 = 𝑏(𝑥)

where 𝑎0 is not identically 0. Example:

𝑑𝑦 𝑑𝑦
 + 𝑥 2 𝑦 = 𝑥 𝑖𝑠 𝑎 𝑙𝑖𝑛𝑒𝑎𝑟 𝐷𝐸 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝑐𝑒 𝑑𝑥 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑦 𝑎𝑟𝑒 𝑙𝑖𝑛𝑒𝑎𝑟
𝑑𝑥
1𝑑2 𝑦
 − 𝑦 3 = 3𝑥 𝑖𝑠 𝑛𝑜𝑡 𝑙𝑖𝑛𝑒𝑎𝑟 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝑐𝑒 𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑚 𝑦 3 𝑖𝑠 𝑛𝑜𝑡 𝑙𝑖𝑛𝑒𝑎𝑟
𝑥𝑑𝑥 2
𝑑𝑦
 − 𝑙𝑛𝑦 = 0 𝑖𝑠 𝑛𝑜𝑡 𝑙𝑖𝑛𝑒𝑎𝑟 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝑐𝑒 ln 𝑦 𝑖𝑠 𝑛𝑜𝑡 𝑙𝑖𝑛𝑒𝑎𝑟
𝑑𝑥
𝑑3 𝑦 𝑑2 𝑦 𝑑𝑦 𝑑3𝑦 𝑑2 𝑦 𝑑𝑦
 − 2 𝑑𝑥 2 + 𝑑𝑥 = 2 sin 𝑥 𝑖𝑠 𝑙𝑖𝑛𝑒𝑎𝑟 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝑐𝑒 𝑑𝑥 3 , 𝑑𝑥 2 , 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑑𝑥 𝑎𝑟𝑒 𝑎𝑙𝑙 𝑙𝑖𝑛𝑒𝑎𝑟
𝑑𝑥 3

1.6 Elimination of Arbitrary Constants

Arbitrary constants –are symbols to which various values may be assigned but which
remains unaffected by the changes in the values of the variables of
the equation.

Properties
 the order of differential equation is equal to the number of arbitrary constants in
the given relation
 the differential equation is consistent with the relation
 the differential equation is free from arbitrary constants

Illustrative examples:

1. Eliminate the arbitrary constants 𝑐1 and 𝑐2 from the relation 𝑦 = 𝑐1 𝑒 −2𝑥 + 𝑐2 𝑒 3𝑥 .

𝑦 = 𝑐1 𝑒 −2𝑥 + 𝑐2 𝑒 3𝑥 Equation 1
𝑦 ′ = 𝑐1 (−2)𝑒 −2𝑥 + 𝑐2 (3)𝑒 3𝑥
𝑦 ′ = −2𝑐1 𝑒 −2𝑥 + 3𝑐2 𝑒 3𝑥 Equation 2
𝑦 ′′ = −2𝑐1 (−2)𝑒 −2𝑥 + 3𝑐2 (3)𝑒 3𝑥
𝑦 ′′ = 4𝑐1 𝑒 −2𝑥 + 9𝑐2 𝑒 3𝑥 Equation 3

Eliminate 𝑐1 from equation 1 and equation 2

2(𝑦 = 𝑐1 𝑒 −2𝑥 + 𝑐2 𝑒 3𝑥 )
+ 𝑦 = −2𝑐1 𝑒 −2𝑥 + 3𝑐2 𝑒 3𝑥
′

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 2𝑦 = 2𝑐1 𝑒 −2𝑥 + 2𝑐2 𝑒 3𝑥 )
+ 𝑦 ′ = −2𝑐1 𝑒 −2𝑥 + 3𝑐2 𝑒 3𝑥

𝑦 ′ + 2𝑦 = 5𝑐2 𝑒 3𝑥

𝑦 ′ +2𝑦
and 𝒄𝟐 𝒆𝟑𝒙 = Equation 4
5

Eliminate 𝑐1 from equation 2 and equation 3

2(𝑦 ′ = −2𝑐1 𝑒 −2𝑥 + 3𝑐2 𝑒 3𝑥 )

𝑦 ′′ = 4𝑐1 𝑒 −2𝑥 + 9𝑐2 𝑒 3𝑥

2𝑦 ′ = −4𝑐1 𝑒 −2𝑥 + 6𝑐2 𝑒 3𝑥 )

𝑦 ′′ = 4𝑐1 𝑒 −2𝑥 + 9𝑐2 𝑒 3𝑥
𝑦 + 2𝑦 ′ =
′′
15𝑐2 𝑒 3𝑥

𝑦 ′′ +2𝑦 ′
and 𝒄𝟐 𝒆𝟑𝒙 = Equation 5
15

Equate equation 4 and 5

𝑦 ′ +2𝑦 𝑦 ′′ +2𝑦 ′
= 15
5
𝑦 ′′ + 2𝑦 ′ = 3(𝑦 ′ + 2𝑦)
𝒚′′ − 𝒚′ − 𝟔𝒚 = 𝟎 Answer

2. Eliminate the arbitrary constant 𝑐 from the equation 𝑦 sin 𝑥 − 𝑥𝑦 2 = 𝑐.

Solution:
𝑦 sin 𝑥 − 𝑥𝑦 2 = 𝑐
𝑦 cos 𝑥 𝑑𝑥 + sin 𝑥 𝑑𝑦 − [𝑥(2𝑦𝑑𝑦) + 𝑦 2 𝑑𝑥] = 0
𝑦 cos 𝑥 𝑑𝑥 + sin 𝑥 𝑑𝑦 − 2𝑥𝑦 𝑑𝑦 − 𝑦 2 𝑑𝑥 = 0
𝒚(𝒄𝒐𝒔 𝒙 − 𝒚)𝒅𝒙 + (𝒔𝒊𝒏 𝒙 − 𝟐𝒙𝒚)𝒅𝒚 = 𝟎 Answer

3. Eliminate the arbitrary constant in the equation 𝑦 2 = 4𝑎𝑥

Solution:
𝑦2
𝑦 2 = 4𝑎𝑥 𝑎𝑛𝑑 4𝑎 = Equation 1
𝑥

2𝑦𝑑𝑦
2𝑦𝑑𝑦 = 4𝑎𝑑𝑥 𝑎𝑛𝑑 4𝑎 = Equation 2
𝑑𝑥

Equate equation 1 and 2

𝑦2 2𝑦𝑑𝑦
= 𝑑𝑥 ; 𝑦 2𝑑𝑥 = 2𝑥𝑦𝑑𝑦; 𝑦 2 𝑑𝑥 − 2𝑥𝑦𝑑𝑦 = 0; 𝑦(𝑦𝑑𝑥 − 2𝑥𝑑𝑦) = 0
𝑥
𝒚𝒅𝒙 − 𝟐𝒙𝒅𝒚 = 𝟎 Answer

4. Eliminate the arbitrary constant in the equation 𝑦 = 𝑐1 𝑥 2 + 𝑐2 𝑒 2𝑥 .

Solution:

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 𝑦 = 𝑐1 𝑥 2 + 𝑐2 𝑒 2𝑥 Equation 1
𝑦 ′ = 𝑐1 (2𝑥) + 𝑐2 (2)(𝑒 2𝑥 )
𝑦 ′ = 2𝑐1 𝑥 + 2𝑐2 𝑒 2𝑥 Equation 2
𝑦 ′′ = 2𝑐1 + 2𝑐2 (2)(𝑒 2𝑥 )
𝑦 ′′ = 2𝑐1 + 4𝑐2 𝑒 2𝑥 Equation 3

Eliminate 𝑐2 from equation 1 and equation 2

−2(𝑦 = 𝑐1 𝑥 2 + 𝑐2 𝑒 2𝑥 )
𝑦 ′ = 2𝑥𝑐1 + 2𝑐2 𝑒 2𝑥
𝑦 ′ − 2𝑦 = 2𝑐1 𝑥 − 2𝑐1 𝑥 2
𝑦 ′ −2𝑦
2𝑐1 = 𝑥(1−𝑥) Equation 4

Eliminate 𝑐2 from equation 2 and equation 3

−2(𝑦 ′ = 2𝑐1 𝑥 + 2𝑐2 𝑒 2𝑥 )

𝑦 ′′ = 2𝑐1 + 4𝑐2 𝑒 2𝑥
𝑦 ′′ − 2𝑦 ′ = 2𝑐1 − 4𝑐1 𝑥
𝑦 ′′ −2𝑦′
2𝑐1 = Equation 5
1−2𝑥

Equate equation 4 and equation 5

𝑦 ′ − 2𝑦 𝑦 ′′ − 2𝑦 ′
=
𝑥(1 − 𝑥) 1 − 2𝑥
(𝑦 ′ − 2𝑦)(1 − 2𝑥) = (𝑦 ′′ − 2𝑦′){𝑥(1 − 𝑥)}
𝑦 ′ (1 − 2𝑥) − 2𝑦(1 − 2𝑥) = 𝑦 ′′ {𝑥(1 − 𝑥)} − 2𝑦 ′ {𝑥(1 − 𝑥)}
𝑥(1 − 𝑥)𝑦 ′′ − 2𝑦 ′ (𝑥 − 𝑥 2 ) − 𝑦 ′ (1 − 2𝑥) + 2𝑦(1 − 2𝑥) = 0
𝑥(1 − 𝑥)𝑦 ′′ − 𝑦 ′ {2(𝑥 − 𝑥 2 ) + (1 − 2𝑥)} + 2(1 − 2𝑥)𝑦 = 0
𝑥(1 − 𝑥)𝑦 ′′ − (2𝑥 − 2𝑥 2 + 1 − 2𝑥)𝑦 ′ + 2(1 − 2𝑥)𝑦 = 0
𝒙(𝟏 − 𝒙)𝒚′′ + (𝟐𝒙𝟐 − 𝟏)𝒚′ + 𝟐(𝟐𝒙 − 𝟏)𝒚 = 𝟎 Answer

1.7 Solution of Differential Equations

It is a solution free from derivatives, which involves one or more of the variables
and which is consistent with the differential equation. Types of solution of differential
equations:

1. General Solution- a solution which contains arbitrary constant/s

2. Particular Solution- a solution which contains no arbitrary constants. It is similar
to general solution however, the arbitrary constant is determined using the
boundary conditions.

Illustrative Example:

Find the general and particular solutions of (2𝑥 − 3)𝑑𝑥 − 𝑑𝑦 = 0; so that when
𝑥 = 1; 𝑦 = 3.

Solution:
(2𝑥 − 3)𝑑𝑥 − 𝑑𝑦 = 0; by integrating both sides of the equation
∫ (2𝑥 − 3)𝑑𝑥 − ∫ 𝑑𝑦 = ∫ 0

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 ∫ 2𝑥𝑑𝑥 − ∫ 3𝑑𝑥 − ∫ 𝑑𝑦 = ∫ 0
𝑥 2 − 3𝑥 − 𝑦 + 𝑐 = 0
𝒚 = 𝒙𝟐 − 𝟑𝒙 + 𝒄 General Solution
when 𝑥 = 1; 𝑦 = 3
from the general solution 𝑦 = 𝑥 2 − 3𝑥 + 𝑐, substitute the values of 𝑥 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑦
3= 1−3+𝑐
𝑐=5
Therefore 𝒚 = 𝒙𝟐 − 𝟑𝒙 + 𝟓 Particular Solution

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 Module (Math 212) Name: ____________________________________________
Activity No. 1 Program/Year: ____________Date Submitted: ___________

I. Identify whether the differential equations is in implicit or explicit form; its

𝑐𝑢𝑡 ℎ𝑒𝑟𝑒

order; type; and its linearity (linear or nonlinear)

𝑑2 𝑥
1. + 𝑘2𝑥 = 0
𝑑𝑡 2

2. (𝑥 2 + 𝑦 2 )𝑑𝑥 + 2𝑥𝑦𝑑𝑦 = 0

3. 𝑦 ′′ − 3𝑦 ′ + 2𝑦 = 0

𝑑2 𝑦 𝑑2 𝑥
4. 𝑥 𝑑𝑡 2 − 𝑦 𝑑𝑡 2 = 𝑐1

5. (𝑥 + 𝑦)𝑑𝑥 + (3𝑥 2 − 1)𝑑𝑦 = 0

6. 𝑦 ′′ + 2𝑦 ′ − 8𝑦 = 𝑥 2 + cos 𝑥

7. 𝑦 ′ + 𝑃(𝑥)𝑦 = 𝑄(𝑥)

8. 𝑦𝑦 ′′ = 𝑥

𝑑𝑖
9. 𝐿 𝑑𝑡 + 𝑅𝑖 = 𝐸

10. 𝑥(𝑦 ′′ )3 + (𝑦 ′ )4 − 𝑦 = 0

II. Eliminate the arbitrary constant/s of the following equation.

1. Relation between 𝐵 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝛼, 𝑥 = 𝐵 cos(𝜔𝑡 + 𝛼) in which ω is a parameter

(not to be eliminated).

ℎ
2. 𝑦 = 𝑚𝑥 + 𝑚 ; ℎ is a parameter, 𝑚 to be eliminated

3. 𝑦 = 𝐴𝑒 2𝑥 + 𝐵𝑥𝑒 2𝑥

4. 𝑦 = 𝑐1 𝑒 2𝑥 cos 3𝑥 + 𝑐2 𝑒 2𝑥 sin 3𝑥

5. 𝑦 = 𝑐1 𝑥 2 + 𝑐2 𝑒 −𝑥

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