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Derive the solution of the linear differential equation: $\frac {dy}{dx} + P(x) \cdot y=Q(x)$

Rewriting the given differential equation, we obtain: $(Py-Q) dx+1 \cdot dy=0$.

Let $M=Py-Q, N=1$. Then : $\dfrac {\partial M }{\partial y}=M_y=P$

and $\dfrac {\partial N}{\partial x}=N_x=0$.

Thus $\dfrac{M_y-N_x}{N}=P(x)$. Thus, the integrating factor is $I.F= e^{\int P dx}$. Therefore $e^{\int P dx}(Py-Q) dx+e^{\int P dx} \cdot dy=0$ is an exact differential equation.

The solution of this exact differential equation is $\int_{\text {treat y as constant} } M dx + \int \text{terms in N not containing x}~~ dy= $ constant

$\implies \int e^{\int P dx}(Py-Q)~ dx + 0=c$

$\implies y \int P~ e^{\int P dx}~dx = \int e^{\int P dx} Q ~dx + c.~$ But the solution of the differential equation in almost every textbook is given as $\implies y e^{\int P dx}~dx = \int e^{\int P dx} Q ~dx + c$

What is the error in the above steps. Thanks a lot for your help.

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  • $\begingroup$ What is the $I$ here? $\endgroup$
    – Nick
    Feb 2, 2020 at 13:41
  • $\begingroup$ Is it possible that the second $dx$ in the first member of the last equality you have written should not be there? If that is the case, I think both expressions of the solution are equivalent. $\endgroup$
    – ABC
    Feb 2, 2020 at 13:43
  • $\begingroup$ @Nick Which $I$ are you talking about? is it the $I.F$? $\endgroup$
    – MathMan
    Feb 2, 2020 at 13:45
  • $\begingroup$ @ABC I believe it should be there if one goes step by step. $\endgroup$
    – MathMan
    Feb 2, 2020 at 13:46
  • $\begingroup$ @Isham The solution of an exact differential equation is $\int_{\text {treat y as constant} } M dx + \int \text{terms in N not containing x}~~ dy= $ constant $\endgroup$
    – MathMan
    Feb 2, 2020 at 13:49

1 Answer 1

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$$\implies \int e^{\int P dx}(Py-Q)~ dx + 0=c$$ $$ \int e^{\int P dx}Pydx-\int e^{\int P dx}Qdx=c$$ $$ y\int e^{\int P dx}Pdx-\int e^{\int P dx}Qdx=c$$ you have a derivative in the first integral: $$ y e^{\int P dx}-\int e^{\int P dx}Qdx=c$$ Therefore: $$ y e^{\int P dx}=\int e^{\int P dx}Qdx+c$$

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  • $\begingroup$ Thanks. Got it. $\endgroup$
    – MathMan
    Feb 2, 2020 at 13:56
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    $\begingroup$ yw @MathMan your formula is correct it's just another formulation. $\endgroup$ Feb 2, 2020 at 13:57

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