Consider the General Form of DE: M(x,y) dx + N(x,y) dy = 0

Suppose separation of variables does not hold, assume that there is a function F(x,y) such
that M =
F
x
c
c
and N =
F
y
c
c
. If M is differentiated with respect to y and N with respect to x, that
is

2 2
and
M F F N F F
y y x y x x x y x y
| | c c c c c c c c | |
= = = =
| |
c c c c c c c c c c
\ . \ .


but
2 2
F F
y x x y
c c
=
c c c c

Therefore,
M N
y x
c c
=
c c


which is a necessary and sufficient condition to be an exact equation.

Exact differential equations may be solved using any of the four methods:
1. Integrable Combination
2. Partial Derivatives
3. Line integral
4. Alternative Solution


1. I ntegrable Combinations

Integrable combinations consist of group of terms that forms an exact differential, thus it is
readily integrable. It may be obtained by rearranging the terms in the given DE until a group of
terms forms an integrable combination.

Some of the integrable combinations are listed below:

1. xdy + ydx = d(xy)
2.
2
xdy ydx y
d
x x

=
3.
2
ydx xdy x
d
y y

=
4.
2
xdy ydx x
d
y y
| |
=
|
\ .

5.
1
2 2
tan
xdy ydx y
d
x y x

| |
=
|
+
\ .

6.
2 2
1
ln
2
xdy ydx x y
d
x y x y
| | +
=
|

\ .

7.
2 2
2
2xydx x dy x
d
y y

=
8.
2 2
2
2xydy y dx y
d
x x

=
9. mx
m 1
y
n
dx + nx
m
y
n 1
dy = d(x
m
y
n
)
10. mx
m 1
y
n
dx nx
m
y
n 1
dy/(y
n
)
2
=
m
n
x
d
y


Examples: Test for exactness and find the general solution.

1. (2x + 3y 5) dx + (3x y 2) dy = 0 ans: 6xy + 2x
2
10x y
2
4y = c

2. (3x
2
y 6x) dx + ( x
3
+ 2y) dy = 0 ans: x
3
y 3x
2
+ y
2
= c

3. 3y (x
2
1) dx + (x
3
+ 8y 3x) dy = 0 ans: 4y
2
+ x
3
y 3xy = c

4. (4x
3
y
3
+ 1/x) dx + (3x
4
y
2
1/y) dy = 0 ans: x
4
y
3
+ ln x/y = c


2. Partial Derivatives

Consider the equation: M(x,y) dx + N(x,y) dy = 0 (1)

If
M N
y x
c c
=
c c
, then (1) is an exact equation.
Therefore, its solution is F = c where

F
M
x
c
=
c
(2) and
F
N
y
c
=
c
- (3)

Determine F from (2) by integrating both sides with respect to x, treating y as constant
where the usual arbitrary constant in indefinite integration is a function T(y) which is yet
unknown. To determine T(y), obtain
F
y
c
c
, equate it to (3) and integrate. This time, no arbitrary
constant is needed in obtaining T(y) since one is being introduced on the right side in the
solution F = c.

Examples: Find the general solution of the differential equation.

1. (2x + 3y 5) dx + (3x y 2) dy = 0 ans: 6xy + 2x
2
10x y
2
4y = c

2. (3x
2
y 6x) dx + ( x
3
+ 2y) dy = 0 ans: x
3
y 3x
2
+ y
2
= c


3. 3y (x
2
1) dx + (x
3
+ 8y 3x) dy = 0 ans: 4y
2
+ x
3
y 3xy = c

4. (4x
3
y
3
+ 1/x) dx + (3x
4
y
2
1/y) dy = 0 ans: x
4
y
3
+ ln x/y = c


3. Line I ntegrals

Consider
} } }
= =
= +
x
a
y
b
dy y x N dx y x M
0 0
0 ) , ( ) , (


where a, b = arbitrary constants for which M and N are defined.

If M and N are polynomial functions, set a = b = 0 since a polynomial function is always
defined at the origin except when the functions become undefined. In this case, try substituting
other values for a and b that will make the functions defined.

Note: In the first integral, treat y as constant.
In the second integral, replace x by the value of a.

This method is applicable only when M and N are either polynomial functions or
transcendental functions but never a combination of polynomial and transcendental functions.

Alternative Solution for Line Integral:



Example 7-3: Find the general solution of the differential equation.

1. (2x + 3y 5) dx + (3x y 2) dy = 0 ans: 6xy + 2x
2
10x y
2
4y = c

2. (3x
2
y 6x) dx + ( x
3
+ 2y) dy = 0 ans: x
3
y 3x
2
+ y
2
= c

3. 3y (x
2
1) dx + (x
3
+ 8y 3x) dy = 0 ans: 4y
2
+ x
3
y 3xy = c

4. (4x
3
y
3
+ 1/x) dx + (3x
4
y
2
1/y) dy = 0 ans: x
4
y
3
+ ln x/y = c


4. Alternative Solution

Consider the equation: M(x,y) dx + N(x,y) dy = 0

For M: integrate x and treat y as a constant
N: integrate terms without x

Example 7-4: Find the general solution of the differential equation.

1. (2x + 3y 5) dx + (3x y 2) dy = 0 ans: 6xy + 2x
2
10x y
2
4y = c

2. (3x
2
y 6x) dx + ( x
3
+ 2y) dy = 0 ans: x
3
y 3x
2
+ y
2
= c

3. 3y (x
2
1) dx + (x
3
+ 8y 3x) dy = 0 ans: 4y
2
+ x
3
y 3xy = c

4. (4x
3
y
3
+ 1/x) dx + (3x
4
y
2
1/y) dy = 0 ans: x
4
y
3
+ ln x/y = c