Q.The general solution of the differential equation dxdy=e2x2+xy is:
(A) y=ce−2x2
(B) y=ce2x2
(C) y=(x+c)e2x2
(D) y=(c−x)e2x2
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🔒 Start your 14-day free trial to unlock the full solution →Concept understanding — Integrating Factor Method
Integrating Factor Method
Some first-order differential equations refuse to separate — you cannot get all the y's on one side and all the x's on the other. The integrating factor method is the standard trick for a special (and very common) family of these: the linear first-order equation. The idea is beautifully simple: multiply the whole equation by one cleverly chosen function, and the messy left-hand side collapses into a single derivative that we can integrate directly.
The Standard Form
An equation is linear of first order if it can be written as
dxdy+Py=Q
where P and Q are functions of x alone (or constants). Notice y and dxdy appear only to the first power, and never multiplied together — that is what "linear" means here.
Always rearrange into this exact shape first. The coefficient of dxdy must be 1 before you read off P and Q.
The Integrating Factor
The magic multiplier is
I.F.=e∫Pdx.
Why this one? Multiply the equation by e∫Pdx:
e∫Pdxdxdy+Pe∫Pdxy=Qe∫Pdx.
By the product rule, the left-hand side is exactly dxd(y⋅e∫Pdx), because the derivative of e∫Pdx is Pe∫Pdx. So the equation becomes
dxd(y⋅I.F.)=Q⋅I.F.
The left side is now a single derivative — that is the whole point of choosing this factor.
The Solution
Integrate both sides with respect to x:
y⋅I.F.=∫(Q⋅I.F.)dx+C.
This is the general solution. In words: (solution) × (integrating factor) = integral of (Q × integrating factor), plus a constant.
A Quick Illustration
For dxdy+x1y=x, we read P=x1, Q=x. Then ∫Pdx=logx, so I.F.=elogx=x. The solution is
y⋅x=∫x⋅xdx+C=3x3+C.
--- …
Concept: Integrating Factor Method — the equation is linear in y:
dxdy−xy=ex2/2.
Step 1: Identify P(x)=−x, Q(x)=ex2/2.
Step 2: Integrating factor μ=e∫Pdx=e−∫xdx=e−x2/2.
Step 3: Multiply through:
e−x2/2dxdy−xe−x2/2y=1
⇒dxd(ye−x2/2)=1. …
This is a first-order linear differential equation solved by the Integrating Factor method. The general solution is y=(x+c)ex2/2, which corresponds to option (C).
The equation is dxdy=ex2/2+xy. At first glance, it looks like it might be separable — but the ex2/2 term is added to xy, not multiplied by a function of y, so separation won't work directly. Instead, notice it's linear in y: we can rearrange it into the standard form dxdy−xy=ex2/2.
Why does the Integrating Factor method work here? Because if we multiply the whole equation by a cleverly chosen function μ(x), the left-hand side becomes the derivative of μ(x)y — a perfect product rule. That turns the problem into a direct integration.
- Rewrite in standard linear form Bring the xy term to the left:
dxdy−xy=ex2/2
Here P(x)=−x and Q(x)=ex2/2.
- Find the Integrating Factor The formula is μ(x)=e∫P(x)dx.
∫(−x)dx=−2x2
So
μ(x)=e−x2/2
- Multiply through
e−x2/2dxdy−xe−x2/2y=e−x2/2⋅ex2/2=1
The left side is exactly dxd(e−x2/2y) — check by differentiating: derivative of e−x2/2y is e−x2/2y′+y⋅(−xe−x2/2), which matches.
- Integrate both sides
dxd(e−x2/2y)=1
Integrate with respect to x:
e−x2/2y=x+c
- Solve for y Multiply through by ex2/2: …
Method: Integrating factor for a linear equation hidden by an added term
Use this when dxdy equals (a function of x) plus a term like xy — linear in y, but not separable because the extra piece is added, not multiplied.
Steps
Step 1: Rearrange to dxdy+P(x)y=Q(x).
Bring the xy term to the left; here P(x)=−x and Q(x) is the leftover x-function.
Step 2: Build the integrating factor.
I.F.=e∫Pdx. …
Common Mistakes
Mistake 1: Trying to separate the variables.
Why it's wrong: in dxdy=ex2/2+xy the xy term is added, not a factor, so the equation does not separate. Correct approach: rearrange to the linear form dxdy−xy=ex2/2 and use the I.F.
Mistake 2: Sign error in P(x). …
Showing the 12 most recent of 33 on this concept.
- AP EAPCET 2024Set eng-2024-05-23-FN1 markMCQQ.The solution of the differential equation exydx+exdy+xdx=0 is (A) ex+yx2=c (B) 2yex+x2=c (C) yex+x2ey=c (D) ex+xey=c
›Reveal solutionSolution
The first two terms of the equation are exactly d(yex); separating out the remaining xdx term and integrating directly gives the solution.
Concept and Intuition
Many differential equations that look complicated are secretly "exact" — the left side is the total differential of some simple combination of x and y. Spotting the pattern udv+vdu=d(uv) (here with u=y, v=ex) turns an equation that looks like it needs an integrating factor into a one-line integration.
Step-by-Step Solution
- Given: exydx+exdy+xdx=0.
- Recall d(yex)=yd(ex)+exdy=yexdx+exdy — exactly the first two terms of the given equation.
- So the equation becomes d(yex)+xdx=0, i.e. d(yex)=−xdx.
- Integrate both sides: yex=−2x2+C.
- Multiply through by 2: 2yex=−x2+2C, i.e. 2yex+x2=c (writing c=2C).
Common Mistakes …
- AP EAPCET 2026Set eng-2026-05-15-AN1 markMCQQ.The general solution of the differential equation (1+y2)+(x−etan−1y)dxdy=0 is (A) xetan−1y=tan−1y+c (B) x2e2tan−1y=etan−1y+c (C) (x−2)=ce−tan−1y (D) 2xetan−1y=e2tan−1y+c
›Reveal solutionSolution
This is a first-order linear ODE that becomes linear in x (not y) once you recognise the tan−1y integrating factor. The answer is (D).
Concept and Intuition
When the equation is not linear in y but treating x as the dependent variable (function of y) makes it linear, we should switch roles: write it as dydx+P(y)x=Q(y) and use the integrating factor e∫Pdy.
Step-by-Step Solution
- Given: (1+y2)+(x−etan−1y)dxdy=0.
- Rearranging: (x−etan−1y)dxdy=−(1+y2), so dydx=−(1+y2)x−etan−1y=1+y2etan−1y−x.
- This gives the linear form: dydx+1+y21x=1+y2etan−1y.
- Integrating factor: I=e∫1+y2dy=etan−1y.
- Multiply through: dyd(xetan−1y)=etan−1y⋅1+y2etan−1y=1+y2e2tan−1y.
- Let t=tan−1y, so dt=1+y2dy. Then ∫e2tdt=21e2t. …
- AP EAPCET 2026Set eng-2026-05-12-AN1 markMCQQ.The general solution of the differential equation dxdy=x3cos2y−xsin2y is (A) tany=21(x2+1)+e−x2 (B) tany=21(x2−1)+Ce−x2 (C) tany=21(x2−1)+Cex2 (D) tany=21(x2+1)+Cex2
›Reveal solutionSolution
This tests converting a nonlinear-looking ODE in y into a linear first-order ODE via the substitution t=tany, then solving with an integrating factor. The answer is tany=21(x2−1)+Ce−x2.
Concept and Intuition
The presence of cos2y and sin2y=2sinycosy is a strong hint to divide through by cos2y: this turns every y-term into a function of tany, because sin2y/cos2y=2tany. Substituting t=tany then reduces the equation to the standard linear form dxdt+P(x)t=Q(x), solvable by an integrating factor.
Step-by-Step Solution
- Start with dxdy=x3cos2y−xsin2y=x3cos2y−2xsinycosy.
- Divide both sides by cos2y: sec2ydxdy=x3−2xtany.
- Let t=tany, so dxdt=sec2ydxdy. The equation becomes dxdt+2xt=x3 — linear in t.
- Integrating factor: μ=e∫2xdx=ex2. …
- AP EAPCET 2025Set eng-2025-05-21-FN1 markMCQQ.The general solution of the equation dxdy+x1y=x1ex is (A) y=xex+c (B) y=xex+ce−x (C) y=xex+c (D) y=xe−x+cx
›Reveal solutionSolution
This is a standard linear first-order ODE solved via an integrating factor; the answer is (C).
Concept and Intuition
An equation of the form dxdy+P(x)y=Q(x) is solved by multiplying through by the integrating factor μ=e∫Pdx, which makes the left side a perfect derivative dxd(μy).
Step-by-Step Solution
- Here P(x)=x1, Q(x)=x1ex.
- Integrating factor: μ=e∫x1dx=elogx=x.
- Multiply the ODE by x: xdxdy+y=ex, i.e. dxd(xy)=ex.
- Integrate both sides: xy=ex+c. …
- AP EAPCET 2025Set eng-2025-05-22-FN1 markMCQQ.The general solution of the differential equation y+cosx(dxdy)−cos2x=0 is (A) (secx+tanx)y=x+cosx+c (B) (1+cosx)y=(x+c)cosx−cos2x (C) (1+sinx)y=(x+c)cosx−cos2x (D) (secx+tanx)y=x−sinx+c
›Reveal solutionSolution
A first-order linear ODE in y; using the integrating factor secx+tanx and rewriting it as (1+sinx)/cosx yields option (C).
Concept and Intuition
After dividing by cosx, the equation becomes linear in y with integrating factor e∫secxdx=secx+tanx (a standard integral). Since secx+tanx=cosx1+sinx, the solution can be rewritten multiplying through by cosx, which is exactly the form the answer choices use.
Step-by-Step Solution
- Start with y+cosxdxdy−cos2x=0. Divide by cosx: dxdy+ysecx=cosx.
- This is linear: P(x)=secx, Q(x)=cosx. Integrating factor μ=e∫secxdx=elog∣secx+tanx∣=secx+tanx.
- The solution is y⋅μ=∫Q⋅μdx: y(secx+tanx)=∫cosx(secx+tanx)dx=∫(1+sinx)dx=x−cosx+C.
- Now write secx+tanx=cosx1+sinx, so y⋅cosx1+sinx=x−cosx+C. …
- AP EAPCET 2025Set eng-2025-05-21-AN1 markMCQQ.The general solution of the differential equation dxdy+xy=4x−2y+8 is (A) y=4−ce−2(x+2)2 (B) y=8+ce2−x2−2x (C) y=ce−(x+2)2+x (D) y+2x=ce−2x−2x
›Reveal solutionSolution
Regroup the equation into standard linear form y′+(x+2)y=4(x+2), solve with integrating factor ex2/2+2x, and complete the square in the exponent. Answer: y=4−ce−(x+2)2/2.
Concept and Intuition
The given equation dxdy+xy=4x−2y+8 looks like it has an x-dependent coefficient and a constant-coefficient term mixed together, but moving the −2y across makes the coefficient of y become (x+2), and simultaneously the right side becomes 4(x+2) — a clean multiple of the same linear factor. This is the key algebraic regrouping that turns it into a standard first-order linear ODE.
Step-by-Step Solution
- Start: dxdy+xy=4x−2y+8.
- Move −2y to the left: dxdy+xy+2y=4x+8⇒dxdy+(x+2)y=4(x+2).
- This is linear: dxdy+P(x)y=Q(x) with P(x)=x+2, Q(x)=4(x+2).
- Integrating factor: μ(x)=e∫(x+2)dx=e2x2+2x.
- Note dxdμ=(x+2)μ, so 4(x+2)μ=4dxdμ, and
dxd(yμ)=Q(x)μ=4dxdμ⟹yμ=4μ+C.
- Hence y=4+Ce−(2x2+2x).
- Complete the square: 2x2+2x=2x2+4x=2(x+2)2−4=2(x+2)2−2. …
- AP EAPCET 2026Set eng-2026-05-13-AN1 markMCQQ.The general solution of the differential equation ydx+(x+x2y)dy=0 is (A) xy1+logy=c (B) −xy1+logy=c (C) x−xy1=c (D) logy=cx2
›Reveal solutionSolution
This tests recognizing an exact-differential grouping (ydx+xdy=d(xy)) to reduce the equation to a separable one; the answer is (B).
Concept and Intuition
The equation ydx+(x+x2y)dy=0 looks messy until you notice that ydx+xdy is exactly d(xy). Recognizing hidden exact-differential combinations (like d(xy), d(x/y), d(x2+y2)) is often the fastest route through an ODE that doesn't look separable or linear at first glance.
Step-by-Step Solution
- Rewrite: ydx+xdy+x2ydy=0.
- Since d(xy)=xdy+ydx, this becomes d(xy)+x2ydy=0.
- Let u=xy, so x=u/y. Then x2y=y2u2⋅y=yu2.
- Substituting: du+yu2dy=0⇒u2du=−ydy.
- Integrate both sides: −u1=−logy+c1. …
- AP EAPCET 2024Set eng-2024-05-18-FN1 markMCQQ.The general solution of the differential equation (sinycos2y−xsec2y)dy=(tany)dx is (A) tany=3xcos3y+c (B) x(secy+tany)=cos2y+c (C) ysiny=x2cos2y+c (D) 3xtany+cos3y=c
›Reveal solutionSolution
Treating x as the dependent variable turns this into a linear ODE with integrating factor tany, giving 3xtany+cos3y=c.
Concept and Intuition
When an ODE is not linear in y but becomes linear if we treat x as a function of y instead, switching the roles of dependent/independent variable is the key move — here dx/dy appears linearly in x, so it is a standard first-order linear equation solvable via an integrating factor.
Step-by-Step Solution
- Given: (sinycos2y−xsec2y)dy=tanydx. Solve for dx/dy: dydx=tanysinycos2y−xsec2y.
- Split: tanysinycos2y=sinycos2y⋅sinycosy=cos3y, and tanysec2y=cos2y1⋅sinycosy=sinycosy1.
- So dydx=cos3y−sinycosyx, i.e. dydx+sinycosyx=cos3y — linear in x.
- Integrating factor: μ=exp(∫sinycosydy). Since dydlog(tany)=tanysec2y=sinycosy1, we get μ=tany.
- Then dyd(xtany)=cos3y⋅tany=cos3y⋅cosysiny=cos2ysiny. …
- AP EAPCET 2026Set eng-2026-05-14-AN1 markMCQQ.The general solution of the differential equation dxdy+xy=x2 is (A) y=31x3+xc (B) y=41x4+cx (C) y=41x3+c (D) y=41x3+cx−1
›Reveal solutionSolution
A standard first-order linear ODE dxdy+P(x)y=Q(x); the integrating factor x makes the left side an exact derivative, giving the general solution y=41x3+xc.
Concept and Intuition
For a linear equation dxdy+P(x)y=Q(x), multiplying both sides by the integrating factor μ(x)=e∫Pdx turns the left side into the exact derivative dxd(μy), which can then be integrated directly.
Step-by-Step Solution
- Here P(x)=x1, Q(x)=x2.
- Integrating factor: μ(x)=e∫x1dx=elogx=x.
- Multiply through: xdxdy+y=x3, i.e. dxd(xy)=x3.
- Integrate both sides: xy=∫x3dx=4x4+c. …
- AP EAPCET 2024Set eng-2024-05-22-FN1 markMCQQ.The general solution of the differential equation (1+tany)(dx−dy)+2xdy=0 is (A) ex(ycosx+sinx)+sinx=c (B) ex(ycosx+ysinx−sinx)+cosx=0 (C) ey(xcosy+xsiny−siny)=c (D) ey(xcosy+xsiny+siny)=c
›Reveal solutionSolution
This is a first-order linear ODE in x as a function of y; finding the right integrating factor is the crux. Answer: option (C).
Concept and Intuition
Grouping the dx terms and dy terms shows this is linear in x (treating y as the independent variable), of the form dydx+P(y)x=Q(y). The integrating factor e∫Pdy simplifies neatly once we split 2cosy/(cosy+siny) using the identity for a sum/difference of sine and cosine.
Step-by-Step Solution
- Expand: (1+tany)dx−(1+tany)dy+2xdy=0⇒(1+tany)dx+[2x−(1+tany)]dy=0.
- Divide by (1+tany)dy: dydx+1+tany2x=1.
- Write 1+tany2=cosy+siny2cosy. Using 2cosy=(cosy+siny)+(cosy−siny): cosy+siny2cosy=1+cosy+sinycosy−siny.
- Integrating factor: μ(y)=exp[∫(1+cosy+sinycosy−siny)dy]=exp[y+log∣cosy+siny∣]=ey(cosy+siny). …
- AP EAPCET 2025Set eng-2025-05-26-AN1 markMCQQ.The general solution of the differential equation (1+sin2x)dxdy+ysin2x=cosx+sin2xcosx is (A) (sin2x)y=sin2x+c (B) (1+sin2x)y=sinx−3sin3x+c (C) (1+sin2x)y=sinx+3sin3x+c (D) (sin2x)y=sinx+sin2x+c
›Reveal solutionSolution
The equation is linear in y with integrating factor 1+sin2x; once multiplied through, the left side collapses to dxd[(1+sin2x)y] and the right side integrates cleanly.
Concept and Intuition
A first-order linear ODE dxdy+P(x)y=Q(x) has integrating factor e∫Pdx. Here, spotting that the RHS conveniently factors to cancel the (1+sin2x) divisor makes Q(x) simplify to just cosx, and P(x)=1+sin2xsin2x integrates to log(1+sin2x) neatly.
Step-by-Step Solution
- Divide by (1+sin2x): dxdy+1+sin2xsin2xy=1+sin2xcosx+sin2xcosx.
- RHS numerator factors: cosx+sin2xcosx=cosx(1+sin2x), so RHS =cosx exactly. Equation becomes: dxdy+1+sin2xsin2xy=cosx.
- Integrating factor: μ=e∫1+sin2xsin2xdx. Since dxd(1+sin2x)=2sinxcosx=sin2x, the integral is log(1+sin2x), so μ=1+sin2x.
- Multiply through: dxd[(1+sin2x)y]=(1+sin2x)cosx=cosx+sin2xcosx. …
- AP EAPCET 2024Set eng-2024-05-20-FN1 markMCQQ.The general solution of the differential equation (y2+x+1)dy=(y+1)dx is (A) x+2+(y+1)log(y+1)2=y+c (B) x+2+log(y+1)2=y+1y+c (C) y+1x=log(y+1)2+y+c (D) y+1x+2+log(y+1)2=y+c
›Reveal solutionSolution
This is a linear differential equation once you treat x as the dependent variable and y as the independent variable; solving it and simplifying the constant gives option (D).
Concept and Intuition
The equation (y2+x+1)dy=(y+1)dx mixes x and y in a way that is NOT separable and NOT linear in y as a function of x. But if we flip our viewpoint and treat x as a function of y, the equation becomes linear in x — this is a common trick: whenever the "wrong" variable makes the equation linear, solve for that one instead.
Step-by-Step Solution
- Divide by (y+1)dy:
dydx=y+1y2+x+1=y+1x+y+1y2+1
- Rearrange into standard linear form dydx−y+11x=y+1y2+1, so P(y)=−y+11, Q(y)=y+1y2+1.
- Integrating factor: μ=e∫Pdy=e−log(y+1)=y+11.
- The solution is x⋅μ=∫Q⋅μdy, i.e.
y+1x=∫(y+1)2y2+1dy
- Substitute u=y+1 (so y=u−1, y2+1=u2−2u+2):
(y+1)2y2+1=u2u2−2u+2=1−u2+u22
- Integrate: ∫(1−u2+u22)du=u−2logu−u2+C, i.e.
y+1x=(y+1)−2log(y+1)−y+12+C
- Add y+12 to both sides: …
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