Integrating Factors Found by Inspection

In our previous topic, we found that linear equations of order one can be solved with the aid of an
integrating factor. There is some discussion of tests for the determination of integrating factors.
At present we are concerned with equations that are simple enough to enable us to find integrating
factors by inspection. The ability to do this depends largely upon recognition of certain common exact
differentials and upon experience.
Below are four exact differentials that occur frequently:
d  xy   xdy  ydx
 x  ydx  xdy
d 
 y y2
 y  xdy  ydx
d 
x x2
 y  xdy  ydx
d  tan 1   2
 x x  y2
Example:
1. ydx   x  x3 y 2  dy  0

2. y  x3  y  dx  x  x 3  y  dy  0

1|MATH 120-Differential Equations

3. 3x 2 ydx   y 4  x3  dy  0

Exercises
1. y  y 3  x  dx  x  y 3  x  dy  0 ans. 2xy 3  x 2  cy 2

2. 2 xdy  y  2  xy 2  dx  0 ans. 1  xy 2  c  xy 
2

3. y  x 4  y 2  dx  x  x 4  y 2  dy  0 ans. 3x 4 y  y 3  cx3
4. y  x3  y 5  dx  x  x 3  y 5  dy  0 ans. x 4  4 xy5  cy 4
5. y  x 2  y 2  1 dx  x  x 2  y 2  1 dy  0 ans. x 2  y 2  1  cxy
 y
6. y  x 2  y 2  1 dx  x  x 2  y 2  1 dy  0 ans. xy  tan 1    c
x
7. y  x3e xy  y  dx  x  y  x3e xy  dy  0 ans. 2 x 2e xy  y 2  cx 2
 y
8.  x3  xy 2  y  dx   y 3  x 2 y  x  dy  0 ans. x 2  y 2  2 tan 1    c
x
9. x4 y '   x3 y  csc  xy  ans. 2 x2 cos  xy   1  cx2
10. 1  y tan  xy   dx  x tan  xy  dy  0 ans. ln sec  xy   x  c

2|MATH 120-Differential Equations