First Order Differential Equations: General Solutions, Particular

Solutions and Separable Equations

General Solutions:
A general solution to an nth order differential equation is a solution in which the value of the
constant, C in the solution, may vary. For example, the general solution to the differential
equation

dy
= ex 1
dx
is

y = ex x + C .
For instance, y = ex-x-5 is a solution to the above differential equation because C = 5. By
differentiating y, you will see that the derivative of a constant is zero. Other solutions to the
above differential equation could be:

y = ex x + 4

y = ex x + 5

y = e x x + 100.54

Particular Solutions:
A particular solution to an nth order differential equation is a solution in which there is a particular
value for the constant C. These types of solutions occur in initial value problems.
An example of an initial value problem is given below.

dy
= ex 1
dx

y (0) = 3

We know that the general solution to the differential equation is

y = ex x + C .
To find the particular solution, use the initial condition given to solve for C.

3 = e0 0 + C
3 = 1 0 + C
3 = 1+ C
2=C
Particular Solution:

y = ex x + 2

Separable Equations:
A separable equation is a first order differential equation where the independent variable is
on one side of the equation and the dependent variable is on the other side of the equation
with their respective differentials. It can be written as the following:

h( y )dy = g ( x)dx

where h(y) = 1/p(y), which is a function of y alone and g(x) is a function of x alone.
Steps To Solving A Separable Equation:
1. Write the differential equation in the form

h( y )dy = g ( x)dx

where h(y) = 1/p(y).

2. Integrate both sides of the equation.

h( y)dy = g ( x)dx
H ( y ) = G ( x) + C

3. If necessary, solve for y.

Example One:
Solve

dy
1
= 3 .
dx xy
1. Separate the variables.
--Multiply both sides by dx.

dy =

1
dx
xy 3

--Multiply both sides by y3.

y 3 dy =
2. Integrate both sides.

1
dx
x

y dy = x dx
3

y4
= ln x + C
4

Implicit General Solution: This

answer is not completely solved for
y, but it is still a correct solution.

3. (Optional) Solve for y.

y4
= ln x + C
4
y 4 = 4 ln x + C
y = (4 ln x + C )

1/ 4

Explicit General Solution: This

answer is completely solved for y. It
is still a correct solution.

Example Two:
Solve the initial value problem

dy
= (1 + y 2 ) tan x
dx

y (0) = 3 .

1. Separate the variables.

--Multiply both sides by dx.

dy = (1 + y 2 ) tan xdx
3

--Multiply both sides by y .

(1 + y 2 )dy = tan xdx

(1 + y )dy = tan xdx

dy + y dy = tan xdx

2. Integrate both sides.

y+

y2
= ln cos x + C
2

3. (Optional) Solve for y.

--In this solution, it will be fine to leave as an implicit function because it will be difficult to
solve for y.
4. Use the initial condition to find a particular solution to the above differential equation.
--Substitute 0 in for x and

3 for y to solve for C.

( 3)
3+

= ln cos 0 + C

3
= ln 1 + C
2
3
3+ = 0+C
2
3
3+ = 0+C
2
2 3+3
=C
2
3+

Therefore, the general solution is

y+

y2
2 3+3
= ln cos x +
2
2