EXACT DIFFERENTIAL

EQUATIONS
The expression

M ( x, y ) dx  N ( x, y ) dy ……(1)
is called exact (or Total) differential if there exist a
function f ( x , y ) of two real variables such that the
expression equals the differential df. We know that
f f
df  dx  dy ……………….(2)
x y f
Thus if equation (1) is exact then M ( x, y)   fx
x
f
N ( x, y)   f y …….(3) If (1) is an exact differential
y
then DE
M ( x , y ) dx  N ( x , y ) dy  0
is called an exact differential equation.
As from eqs (1), (2) & (3) we have
M  f2
N  f 2
 ...and... 
y yx x xy

where the functions M(x,y) and N(x,y) have continuous

first order Partial derivatives, therefore
 f
2
 f 2

yx xy
Hence criteria for Eq to be an Exact equation is
 M N

y x
Solution of an Exact Equation
For finding of the solution of an exact
equation we integrate M(x,y) w r t x
regarding y as a constant. Then integrate w
r t y only those terms of N(x,y) which are
free from x. The sum of these two
expressions thus obtained are equated to a
constant. The solution is

 Mdx 
y  constant
 Ndy  c
Free from x
Solution of an Exact Equation (2nd Method)

If M ( x , y ) dx  N ( x , y ) dy  0 ……(1)
is exact then there exist a function f(x,y) such that
f f
df  dx  dy  Mdx  Ndy ..( 2)
x y
Therefore f f
 N ...and ...  M.....(3)
y x
Integrating eq (2) w r t x
f ( x, y)   Mdx  h( y )..( 4)

Where h(y) is treated as constant of integration.

Diff eq (4) w r t y, we get f f dh
y

y
[  Mdx ] 
dy
Using eq (3) we have
 dh
N 
y
[  Mdx ] 
dy
dh 

dy
 N 
y
[  Mdx ]...( 5)
Integrating eq (5) w r t y, we obtain h(y) and hence from
eq (4) f ( x , y )  c is the required solution of DE (1).
Solve(tan x  2 y )dy  ( y sec 2
x  sec x tan x )dx  0
Soln: Here
N  tan x  2 y .. & .. M  y sec x  sec x tan x
2

M N
  sec x ..and ...
2
 sec x
2

y x
 eq is exact
The solution is
 Mdx 
y  constant
 Ndy  c
Free from x

 
 ( y sec x  sec x tan x )dx  2 ydy  c
2
 y tan x  sec x  y  c
2
Solve(tan x  2 y )dy  ( y sec 2
x  sec x tan x )dx  0
Soln: Here
N  tan x  2 y .. & .. M  y sec x  sec x tan x
2

M N
  sec x ..and ...
2
 sec x
2

y x
 eq is exact
The solution is f ( x , y )  c1 But
f ( x, y)   Mdx  h( y )


 ( y sec x  sec x tan x )dx h(y)
2
  f ( x , y )  y tan x  sec x  h(y) ......(2)
Diff eq (4) w r t y, we get
f dh  tan x  dh  N
 tan x 
y dy dy
dh dh
 tan x   tan x  2 y  2y
dy dy
 h( y )  y 2  c 2
Put the value of h(y) in eq (2)

 f ( x , y )  y tan x  sec x  y  c 2 ....(3)

2
As f ( x , y )  c1

So eq (3) will become

y tan x  sec x  y  c 2  c1
2

 y tan x  sec x  y  c
2
Solve ( 3 x  4 xy )dx  ( 2 x  2 y )dy  0
2 2

Soln: Here M  3 x  4 xy ...and ... N  2 x  2 y

2 2

M N
  4 x ..and ...  4x
y x
 eq is exact
The solution is 
Mdx 
y  constant
 Ndy  c
Free from x

 
 ( 3 x 2  4 xy )dy  2 ydy  c

 x  2x y  y  c
3 2 2
Solve ( xe  2 y )dy  ye dx  0 ..when ..y(0)  1
xy xy

Soln: Here M  ye ...and ... N  xe

xy xy
 2y
M N
  e  xye ..and ...
xy xy
 e  xye
xy xy

y x
 eq is exact
 Mdx   Ndy  c
The solution is y  constant Free from x

  ye 
dx  2 ydy  c
xy
 e xy
 y c
2

When x=0 then y=1

 1+1=2

e xy
 y 2
2
Solve( x 2
 4 y )dy  ( 2 xy  3)dx  0 ..when ..y(1)  2

Soln: Here M  2 xy  3...and ... N  x  4 y

2

M N
  2 x ..and ...  2x
y x
 eq is exact
 Mdx   Ndy  c
The solution is y  constant Free from x

 
 ( 2 xy  3)dx  4 ydy  c
  x y  3x  2 y  c
2 2

When x=1 then y=2

 2-3+8=c c7

 x y  3x  2 y  7
2 2
Solve

( y sec x  sec x tan x )dx  (tan x  2 y )dy  0

2

solve 3 y y  2x
2
[ 2 ]dx  [ 2
]dy  0..when..y (-1)  2
x xy