Differential Equations

SEPARATION OF VARIABLES

Graham S McDonald

A Tutorial Module for learning the technique

of separation of variables

● Table of contents
● Begin Tutorial

c 2004 g.s.mcdonald@salford.ac.uk
 Table of contents
1. Theory
2. Exercises
3. Answers
4. Standard integrals
5. Tips on using solutions
Full worked solutions
Section 1: Theory 3

1. Theory
If one can re-arrange an ordinary differential equation into the follow-
ing standard form:

dy
= f (x)g(y),
dx

then the solution may be found by the technique of SEPARATION

OF VARIABLES:
Z Z
dy
= f (x) dx .
g(y)

This result is obtained by dividing the standard form by g(y), and

then integrating both sides with respect to x.

Toc JJ II J I Back
Section 2: Exercises 4

2. Exercises
Click on Exercise links for full worked solutions (there are 16 exer-
cises in total)

Exercise 1.
dy
Find the general solution of = 3x2 e−y and the particular solution
dx
that satisfies the condition y(0) = 1

Exercise 2.
dy y
Find the general solution of =
dx x

Exercise 3.
dy y+1
Solve the equation = given the boundary condition: y = 1
dx x−1
at x = 0

● Theory ● Answers ● Integrals ● Tips

Toc JJ II J I Back
Section 2: Exercises 5

Exercise 4.
dy
Solve y 2 = x and find the particular solution when y(0) = 1
dx

Exercise 5.
dy
Find the solution of = e2x+y that has y = 0 when x = 0
dx

Exercise 6.
xy dy
Find the general solution of =
x+1 dx

Exercise 7.
dy
Find the general solution of x sin2 y. = (x + 1)2
dx

● Theory ● Answers ● Integrals ● Tips

Toc JJ II J I Back
Section 2: Exercises 6

Exercise 8.
dy π
Solve = −2x tan y subject to the condition: y = 2 when x = 0
dx

Exercise 9.
dy
Solve (1 + x2 ) + xy = 0
dx
and find the particular solution when y(0) = 2

Exercise 10.
dy
Solve x = y 2 + 1 and find the particular solution when y(1) = 1
dx

Exercise 11.
dy
Find the general solution of x = y2 − 1
dx

● Theory ● Answers ● Integrals ● Tips

Toc JJ II J I Back
Section 2: Exercises 7

Exercise 12.
1 dy x
Find the general solution of = 2
y dx x +1

Exercise 13.
dy y
Solve = and find the particular solution when y(1) = 3
dx x(x + 1)

Exercise 14.
dy
Find the general solution of sec x · = sec2 y
dx

Exercise 15.
dy
Find the general solution of cosec3 x = cos2 y
dx

● Theory ● Answers ● Integrals ● Tips

Toc JJ II J I Back
Section 2: Exercises 8

Exercise 16.
dy
Find the general solution of (1 − x2 ) + x(y − a) = 0 , where a is
dx
a constant

● Theory ● Answers ● Integrals ● Tips

Toc JJ II J I Back
Section 3: Answers 9

3. Answers

1. General solution is y = ln(x3 + A) , and particular solution is

y = ln(x3 + e) ,

2. General solution is y = kx ,

3. General solution is y + 1 = k(x − 1) , and particular solution

is y = −2x + 1 ,
y3 x2
4. General solution is 3 = 2 + C , and particular solution is
2
y 3 = 3x2 + 1 ,

1 2x


5. General solution is y = −  ln − 2 e − C , and particular
2x
solution is y = − ln 3−e
2 ,

6. General solution is ex = ky(x + 1) ,

Toc JJ II J I Back
Section 3: Answers 10
y 2
1 x
7. General solution is 2 − 4 sin 2y = 2 + 2x + ln x + C ,

2
8. General solution is sin y = e−x +A
, and particular solution is
2
sin y = e−x ,
1
9. General solution is y(1 + x2 ) 2 = k , and particular solution is
1
y(1 + x2 ) 2 = 2 ,

10. General solution is tan−1 y = ln x + C, and particular solution

is tan−1 y = ln x + π4 ,

11. General solution is y − 1 = kx2 (y + 1) ,

12. General solution is y 2 = k(x2 + 1) ,

kx 6x
13. General solution is y = x+1 , and particular solution is y = x+1 ,

Toc JJ II J I Back
Section 3: Answers 11

14. General solution is 2y + sin 2y = 4 sin x + C ,

1
15. General solution is tan y = − cos x + 3 cos3 x + C ,

1
16. General solution is y − a = k(1 − x2 ) 2 .

Toc JJ II J I Back
Section 4: Standard integrals 12

4. Standard integrals
R R
f (x) f (x)dx f (x) f (x)dx
n xn+1 n 0 [g(x)]n+1
x n+1 (n 6= −1) [g (x)] g (x) n+1 (n 6= −1)
1 g 0 (x)
x ln |x| g(x) ln |g (x)|
x ax
e ex a x
ln a (a > 0)
sin x − cos x sinh x cosh x
cos x sin x cosh x sinh x
tan x − ln
 |cos x| tanh x ln cosh x 
cosec x ln tan x2  cosech x ln tanh x2 
sec x ln |sec x + tan x| sech x 2 tan−1 ex
sec2 x tan x sech2 x tanh x
cot x ln |sin x| coth x ln |sinh x|
sin2 x x
2 −
sin 2x
4 sinh2 x sinh 2x
4 − x2
cos2 x x
2 +
sin 2x
4 cosh2 x sinh 2x
4 + x2

Toc JJ II J I Back
Section 4: Standard integrals 13

R R
f (x) f (x) dx f (x) f (x) dx
 
1 1
tan−1 x 1 1  a+x 
a2 +x2 a a a2 −x2 2a ln  a−x  (0 < |x| < a)
 
1 1  x−a 
(a > 0) x2 −a2 2a ln  x+a  (|x| > a > 0)

 √ 
2 2
√ 1 sin−1 x √ 1 ln  x+ aa +x  (a > 0)

a2 −x2 a a2 +x2
 √ 
2 2
(−a < x < a) √ 1 ln  x+ xa −a  (x > a > 0)

x2 −a2

√ a2
√ a2
h √ i
sinh−1 x a2 +x2
 −1 x

x


a2 − x2 2 sin a a2 +x2 2 a + a2

√ i √ h √ i
a2
a2 −x2
− cosh−1
2 2
+x x
+ x xa2−a


a2 x2 −a2 2 a

Toc JJ II J I Back
Section 5: Tips on using solutions 14

5. Tips on using solutions

● When looking at the THEORY, ANSWERS, INTEGRALS, or

TIPS pages, use the Back button (at the bottom of the page) to
return to the exercises.

● Use the solutions intelligently. For example, they can help you get
started on an exercise, or they can allow you to check whether your
intermediate results are correct.

● Try to make less use of the full solutions as you work your way
through the Tutorial.

Toc JJ II J I Back
Solutions to exercises 15

Full worked solutions

Exercise 1.
dy
This is of the form = f (x)g(y) , where f (x) = 3x2 and
dx
g(y) = e−y , so we can separate the variables and then integrate,
Z Z
i.e. ey dy = 3x2 dx i.e. ey = x3 + A
(where A = arbitrary constant).
i.e. y = ln(x3 + A) : General solution

Particular solution: y(x) = 1 when x = 0 i.e. e1 = 03 + A

i.e. A = e and y = ln(x3 + e) .

Return to Exercise 1

Toc JJ II J I Back
Solutions to exercises 16

Exercise 2.
dy
This is of the form = f (x)g(y) , where f (x) = x1 and
dx
g(y) = y, so we can separate the variables and then integrate,

Z Z
dy dx
=
y x

i.e. ln y
= ln x + C
= ln x + ln k (ln k = C = constant)
i.e. ln y − ln x = ln k
i.e. ln(y/x) = ln k
i.e. y = kx .
Return to Exercise 2

Toc JJ II J I Back
Solutions to exercises 17

Exercise 3.
Find the general solution first. Then apply the boundary condition
to get the particular solution.

dy 1
Equation is of the form: = f (x)g(y), where f (x) = x−1
dx
g(y) = y + 1
so separate variables and integrate.
Z Z
dy dx
i.e. =
y+1 x−1

i.e. ln(y + 1) = ln(x − 1) + C

= ln(x − 1) + ln k (k = arbitrary constant)

i.e. ln(y + 1) − ln(x − 1) = ln k

 
y+1
i.e. ln = ln k
x−1

Toc JJ II J I Back
Solutions to exercises 18

y+1
i.e. =k
x−1

i.e. y + 1 = k(x − 1) (general solution)

Now determine k for particular solution with y(0) = 1.

x=0
gives 1 + 1 = k(0 − 1)
y=1
i.e. 2 = −k
i.e. k = −2

Particular solution: y + 1 = −2(x − 1) i.e. y = −2x + 1 .

Return to Exercise 3

Toc JJ II J I Back
Solutions to exercises 19

Exercise 4.
Use separation of variables to find the general solution first.
y3 x2
Z Z
y 2 dy = x dx i.e. = +C
3 2
(general solution)

1 1
Particular solution with y = 1, x = 0 : 3 = 0 + C i.e. C = 3

3x2
i.e. y 3 = 2 +1.

Return to Exercise 4

Toc JJ II J I Back
Solutions to exercises 20

Exercise 5.
General solution first then find particular solution.
dy
Write equation as: = e2x ey (≡ f (x)g(y))
dx
Separate variables Z Z
dy
and integrate: = e2x dx
ey

i.e. −e−y = 12 e2x + C

i.e. e−y = − 12 e2x − C

−y = ln − 12 e2x − C


i.e.

y = − ln − 12 e2x − C .


i.e.

Toc JJ II J I Back
Solutions to exercises 21
x=0
0 = − ln − 21 − C


Particular solution: gives
y=0

i.e. − 12 − C = 1

i.e. C = − 32
 
3−e2x
∴ y = − ln 2 .

Return to Exercise 5

Toc JJ II J I Back
Solutions to exercises 22

Exercise 6.
Separate variables and integrate:
Z Z
x dy
dx =
x+1 y
%
Numerator and denominator of same degree in x: reduce degree of
numerator using long division.
x x+1−1 x+1 1 1
i.e. x+1 = x+1 = x+1 − x+1 =1− x+1
R 1
 R dy
i.e. 1− x+1 dx = y

i.e. x − ln(x + 1) = ln y + ln k (ln k = constant of integration)

i.e. x = ln(x + 1) + ln y + ln k
= ln[ky(x + 1)]
i.e. ex = ky(x + 1) . General solution.
Return to Exercise 6
Toc JJ II J I Back
Solutions to exercises 23

Exercise 7.
Separate variables and integrate:

(x + 1)2
Z Z
2
i.e. sin ydy = dx
x
Z Z 2
1 x + 2x + 1
i.e. (1 − cos 2y)dy = dx
2 x
Z Z Z  
1 1 1
i.e. dy − cos 2ydy = x+2+ dx
2 2 x
1 1 1 1 2
i.e. y − · sin 2y = x + 2x + ln x + C .
2 2 2 2
Return to Exercise 7

Toc JJ II J I Back
Solutions to exercises 24

Exercise 8.
General solution first.
dy
Separate variables: i.e. = −2x dx
tan y
Z Z
Integrate: i.e. cot y dy = −2 xdx

x2
i.e. ln(sin y) = −2 · 2 +A

i.e. ln(sin y) = −x2 + A

2
i.e. sin y = e−x +A

 Z Z 0 
cos y f (y)
Note: dy is of form dy = ln[f (y)] + C
sin y f (y)

Toc JJ II J I Back
Solutions to exercises 25
π
Particular solution: y= 2 when x = 0

gives sin π2 = eA

i.e. 1 = eA

i.e. A=0
2
∴ Required solution is sin y = e−x .

Return to Exercise 8

Toc JJ II J I Back
Solutions to exercises 26

Exercise 9.
Separate variables and integrate:
dy
(1 + x2 ) = −xy
Z dx Z
dy x
i.e. = − dx
y 1 + x2
Z Z
dy 1 2x
i.e. = − dx
y 2 1 + x2
R 0 (x)
[compare with ff (x) dx]
i.e. ln y = − 12 ln(1 + x2 ) + ln k (ln k = constant)
1
i.e. ln y + ln(1 + x2 ) 2 = ln k
h 1
i
i.e. ln y(1 + x2 ) 2 = ln k

1
i.e. y(1 + x2 ) 2 = k, (general solution).

Toc JJ II J I Back
Solutions to exercises 27

Particular solution

y(0) = 2, i.e. y(x) = 2 when x = 0

1
i.e. 2(1 + 0) 2 = k
i.e. k=2
1
i.e. y(1 + x2 ) 2 = 2 .
Return to Exercise 9

Toc JJ II J I Back
Solutions to exercises 28

Exercise 10.
Z Z
dy dx
2
=
y +1 x
 Z 
dy
Standard integral: = tan−1 y + C
1 + y2
i.e. tan−1 y = ln x + C. General solution.

Particular solution with y = 1 when x = 1:

tan π4 = 1 ∴ tan−1 (1) = π
4 , while ln 1 = 0 (i.e. 1 = e0 )
π π
∴ 4 =0+C i.e. C = 4

Particular solution is: tan−1 y = ln x + π

4 .
Return to Exercise 10

Toc JJ II J I Back
Solutions to exercises 29

Exercise 11.

Z Z
dy dx
=
y2 − 1 x
1 A B A(y + 1) + B(y − 1)
Partial fractions : 2 = + =
y −1 y−1 y+1 (y − 1)(y + 1)
(A + B)y + (A − B)
=
y2 − 1

Compare numerators: 1 = (A + B)y + (A − B) [true for all y]

∴
A+B =0
A−B =1
2A = 1

∴ A = 12 , B = − 12 .

Toc JJ II J I Back
Solutions to exercises 30
A B dx
R R
i.e. y−1 + y+1 dy = x

1 1 1 dx
R R
i.e. 2 y−1 − y+1 dy = x

1
i.e. 2 [ln(y − 1) − ln(y + 1)] = ln x + ln k

i.e. ln(y − 1) − ln(y + 1) − 2 ln x = 2 ln k

h i
y−1
i.e. ln (y+1)x2 = 2 ln k

i.e. y − 1 = k 0 x2 (y + 1), (k 0 = k 2 = constant) .

Return to Exercise 11

Toc JJ II J I Back
Solutions to exercises 31

Exercise 12.
Z Z Z
dy x 1 2x
= 2
dx = 2
dx
y x +1 2 x +1
 Z 0 
f (x)
Note : dx = ln[f (x)] + A
f (x)
1
ln x2 + 1 + C


i.e. ln y =
2
1 1
ln y 2 = ln x2 + 1 + C {get same coefficients to


i.e.
2 2
allow log manipulations}
2
 
1 y
i.e. ln 2 = C
2 x +1
y2
i.e. = e2C
x2 + 1
i.e. y 2 = k x2 + 1 , (where k = e2C = constant) .

Return to Exercise 12
Toc JJ II J I Back
Solutions to exercises 32

Exercise 13. Z Z
dy dx
=
y x(x + 1)
Use partial fractions:
1 A B A(x + 1) + Bx
= + =
x(x + 1) x x+1 x(x + 1)
(A + B)x + A
=
x(x + 1)

Compare numerators: 1 = (A + B)x + A (true for all x)

i.e. A + B = 0 and A = 1, ∴ B = −1
Z Z  
dy 1 1
i.e. = − dx
y x x+1

i.e. ln y = ln x − ln (x + 1) + C

Toc JJ II J I Back
Solutions to exercises 33

i.e. ln y − ln x + ln (x + 1) = ln k (ln k = C = constant)

 
y(x + 1)
i.e. ln = ln k
x

y(x + 1)
i.e. =k
x
kx
i.e. y = . General solution.
x+1

Particular solution with y(1) = 3:

k
x = 1, y = 3 gives 3= 1+1

i.e. k = 6
6x
i.e. y = x+1 .
Return to Exercise 13

Toc JJ II J I Back
Solutions to exercises 34

Exercise 14.
Z Z
dy dx
=
sec2 y sec x

Z Z
2
i.e. cos y dy = cos x dx
Z Z
1 + cos 2y
i.e. dy = cos x dx
2
y 1 1
i.e. + · sin 2y = sin x + C
2 2 2
i.e. 2y + sin 2y = 4 sin x + C 0

(where C 0 = 4C = constant) .

Return to Exercise 14

Toc JJ II J I Back
Solutions to exercises 35

Exercise 15.
Z Z
dy dx
i.e. =
cos2 y cosec3 x
Z
= sin3 x dx
Z
= sin2 x · sin x dx
Z
= (1 − cos2 x) · sin x dx
Z Z
= sin x dx − cos2 x · sin x dx
| {z }
du
set u = cos x , so = − sin x
dx
and cos2 x · sin x dx = −u2 du

Toc JJ II J I Back
Solutions to exercises 36

LHS is standard integral

sec2 y dy = tan y + A .
R

 3

This gives, tan y = − cos x − − cos3 x + C

cos3 x
i.e. tan y = − cos x + 3 +C .

Return to Exercise 15

Toc JJ II J I Back
Solutions to exercises 37

Exercise 16.
dy
i.e. (1 − x2 ) dx = −x(y − a)
R dy R x
i.e. y−a = − 1−x2 dx

dy −2x f 0 (x)
= + 12
R R R
i.e. y−a 1−x2 dx [compare RHS integral with f (x) dx]
1
i.e. ln(y − a) = 2 ln(1 − x2 ) + ln k
1
i.e. ln(y − a) − ln(1 − x2 ) 2 = ln k
 
y−a
i.e. ln 2
1 = ln k
(1−x ) 2

1
∴ y − a = k(1 − x2 ) 2 .
Return to Exercise 16

Toc JJ II J I Back