2.

2 Separable Variables
Definition: Separable Equation

A first-order differential equation of the form

dy
= g ( x)h( y )
dx

is said to be separable or to have separable variables.

Method of solution:

Separate the variables x and y:
dy
= g ( x)h( y ) ....... (1)
dx
dy

= g ( x)dx...... (2)
h( y )
To solve the equation (2), integrate its left side
wrt y and integrate its right side wrt x :
dy
= g ( x)dx + c

h( y )
Evaluate these integrals to obtain the
solution of equation (1).
2

Example:
Solve the given DE by separation of variables:

1 . y = 4 xy
2. (1 + x ) d y yd x = 0 .

3.

dy
= y 2 4.
dx

Note:

Combination of constants or multiples of constants can

be replaced by a single constant.

If each integral on the left and right side of a separable

equation results in a logarithm, a sensible choice for the

constant of integration is ln|c| rather than c.

Losing a Solution
Suppose y = r is an equilibrium solution of the differential
equation:
dy
= g ( x)h( y )
dx

After the variables are separated , the left-hand side of

dy
= g ( x)dx
h( y )

is undefined at r. As a consequence, y = r might not show up in the

family of solutions that are obtained after integration and
simplification. Recall that such a solution is called a singular solution.