Q.Solve the following differential equation: dxdy=ytanx;y=1 when x=0
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Separation of Variables: From Intuition to Precision
Imagine you're baking a cake. The recipe says "mix the dry ingredients separately, then add the wet ones." You keep things that belong together together, and things that don't apart — until the right moment. Separation of Variables does exactly that for certain kinds of equations.
The Core Intuition
Some equations involve two different kinds of change happening at once. Think of a cup of hot coffee cooling down. The rate at which it cools depends on:
- The temperature difference between the coffee and the room (a function of time)
- The surface area of the cup (a function of shape, not time)
These two influences are tangled together in one equation. Separation of Variables is the mathematical trick that untangles them — it lets you handle the time part first, then the space part separately.
The Precise Statement
Separation of Variables applies to ordinary differential equations (ODEs) of the form:
dxdy=f(x)⋅g(y)
where the right-hand side is a product of a function of x alone and a function of y alone. The method works in three clean steps:
dxdy=f(x)⋅g(y)⟹g(y)1dy=f(x)dx
Step 1: Separate. Multiply both sides by dx and divide by g(y) (assuming g(y)=0). This moves all y's to one side and all x's to the other.
Step 2: Integrate. Put an integral sign on both sides:
∫g(y)1dy=∫f(x)dx
Step 3: Solve. Evaluate both integrals and solve for y explicitly if possible.
You cannot separate if the equation is not in product form. For example, dxdy=x+y cannot be separated — the sum x+y is not a product f(x)g(y).
Why This Works
The justification is the chain rule in reverse. From dxdy=f(x)g(y), rewrite it as:
g(y)1dxdy=f(x)
Now integrate both sides with respect to x:
∫g(y)1dxdydx=∫f(x)dx
The left side is a substitution waiting to happen: dxdydx=dy, so you get ∫g(y)1dy. That's the entire trick — the chain rule dressed up.
A Concrete Example
Solve dxdy=2xy, with y(0)=3.
Step 1: Separate. Divide both sides by y (assuming y=0):
y1dy=2xdx
Step 2: Integrate.
∫y1dy=∫2xdx⟹log∣y∣=x2+C
Step 3: Solve for y.
∣y∣=ex2+C=eC⋅ex2
Let A=±eC (absorbing the absolute value): y=Aex2. Now use y(0)=3: 3=Ae0=A, so A=3.
Final answer: y=3ex2 …
Concept: Separation of Variables — rewrite the equation so all y terms are on one side and all x terms on the other, then integrate.
Step 1: Separate variables
ydy=tanxdx
Step 2: Integrate both sides
∫ydy=∫tanxdx⇒log∣y∣=−log∣cosx∣+C
Step 3: Simplify using log properties …
This is a first-order separable ODE. By separating variables and integrating, we get log∣y∣=−log∣cosx∣+C. Using the initial condition y(0)=1 gives C=0, so the solution is y=secx.
The key idea here is separation of variables. When a differential equation can be written in the form dxdy=f(x)g(y), we can rearrange it so that all y terms are on one side and all x terms on the other — then integrate both sides. That’s exactly what we have here: dxdy=ytanx is of that form, with g(y)=y and f(x)=tanx.
Why does this work? Because we’re treating dy and dx as differentials that can be moved algebraically (a standard technique in ODEs). Once separated, we integrate each side with respect to its own variable, and the constant of integration is determined by the initial condition.
Let’s go through it step by step.
- Separate the variables. Write the equation as
ydy=tanxdx
This is valid as long as y=0 (and we’ll check later that the solution doesn’t cross zero for the given initial condition).
- Integrate both sides.
∫ydy=∫tanxdx
The left side is straightforward: ∫ydy=log∣y∣+C1.
For the right side, recall that tanx=cosxsinx. Let u=cosx, then du=−sinxdx, so
∫tanxdx=∫cosxsinxdx=−∫udu=−log∣u∣+C2=−log∣cosx∣+C2
Combining constants, we get
log∣y∣=−log∣cosx∣+C
where C=C2−C1 is an arbitrary constant.
- Simplify using logarithm properties.
log∣y∣+log∣cosx∣=C⇒log∣ycosx∣=C
Exponentiate both sides:
∣ycosx∣=eC
Let A=eC>0, so ∣ycosx∣=A. Removing the absolute value, we write
ycosx=±A=k
where k is any non-zero constant (the sign is absorbed). So the general solution is
y=cosxk=ksecx …
Method: Separation giving a logarithm, then an initial condition
Use this for dxdy=yh(x)-type equations, where dividing by y separates the variables and the y-integral is a logarithm.
Steps
Step 1: Separate
Divide by y: ydy=h(x)dx (here h(x)=tanx).
Step 2: Integrate both sides
∫ydy=log∣y∣ and ∫tanxdx=log∣secx∣, so log∣y∣=log∣secx∣+C.
Step 3: Exponentiate and apply the condition …
Common Mistakes
Mistake 1: Misremembering ∫tanxdx
Why it's wrong: ∫tanxdx=log∣secx∣ (equivalently −log∣cosx∣); a wrong antiderivative gives the wrong solution. Correct approach: use log∣secx∣.
Mistake 2: Not exponentiating properly before applying the condition
Why it's wrong: log∣y∣=log∣secx∣+C becomes y=Asecx with A=eC, not y=secx+C. Correct approach: exponentiate to a multiplicative constant, then use y(0)=1. …
Showing the 12 most recent of 18 on this concept.
- AP EAPCET 2023Set eng-2023-05-18-AN1 markMCQQ.The general solution of dxdy=cos2(x−y−1) is given by x= (A) C−cot(x−y−1) (B) C−tan(x−y+1) (C) y+Ccot(x−y−1) (D) Cy+tan(x−y−1)
›Reveal solutionSolution
Substituting v=x−y−1 converts the ODE into a directly separable one in v and x, giving x=C−cot(x−y−1).
Concept and Intuition
Whenever a first-order ODE has the right-hand side depending only on a linear combination like x−y−1 (not x and y separately), substituting v=x−y−1 converts it into a separable equation in v alone, since dv/dx becomes a function of v only.
Step-by-Step Solution
- Let v=x−y−1, so dxdv=1−dxdy.
- The given ODE is dxdy=cos2v, so dxdv=1−cos2v=sin2v.
- Separate: sin2vdv=dx⇒csc2vdv=dx.
- Integrate: −cotv=x+C1⇒x=−cotv−C1=C−cotv (renaming the constant).
- Substitute back v=x−y−1: x=C−cot(x−y−1). …
- AP EAPCET 2021Set eng-2021-10-05-FN1 markMCQQ.Find the solution of the following differential equation: sin−1(dxdy)=x+y (A) x=tan(x+y)+sec(x+y)+c (B) x=tan(x+y)−sec(x+y)+c (C) x=tan(x+y)+sec2(x+y)+c (D) x=tan(x+y)−sec2(x+y)+c
›Reveal solutionSolution
With t=x+y, the equation becomes dxdt=1+sint, which integrates (via the 1−sint trick) to x=tant−sect+c.
Concept and Intuition
sin−1(dy/dx)=x+y means dxdy=sin(x+y) — the right side depends only on the combination x+y, which is the classic signal to substitute t=x+y and make the equation separable in t and x.
Step-by-Step Solution
- Let t=x+y⇒dxdt=1+dxdy=1+sint.
- Separate: 1+sintdt=dx.
- Multiply top and bottom by (1−sint): 1−sin2t(1−sint)dt=cos2t(1−sint)dt=(sec2t−secttant)dt. …
- AP EAPCET 2023Set eng-2023-05-15-AN1 markMCQQ.The general solution of the differential equation tanxtanydx+cos2xcsc2ydy=0 is (A) tan2x+cot2y=C (B) cot2x−tan2y=C (C) tan2x−cot2y=C (D) cot2x+tan2y=C
›Reveal solutionSolution
This is a variables-separable differential equation; separating and integrating both sides gives the implicit general solution tan2x−cot2y=C.
Concept and Intuition
When a first-order differential equation can be written so that all the x-terms (with dx) are on one side and all the y-terms (with dy) are on the other, it is separable, and the general solution follows directly by integrating each side independently.
Step-by-Step Solution
- Given: tanxtanydx+cos2xcsc2ydy=0.
- Divide throughout by cos2xtany (both nonzero on the domain of interest):
cos2xtanxdx+tanycsc2ydy=0⟹tanxsec2xdx+tanycsc2ydy=0
- Integrate the x-term: let u=tanx, du=sec2xdx, so ∫tanxsec2xdx=∫udu=2u2=2tan2x.
- Integrate the y-term: tanycsc2y=sin2y1⋅sinycosy=sin3ycosy. Let v=siny, dv=cosydy, so ∫sin3ycosydy=∫v−3dv=−2v21=−2sin2y1=−21(1+cot2y). …
- AP EAPCET 2025Set eng-2025-05-23-FN1 markMCQQ.The general solution of the differential equation sec(x−y+1)dy=dx is (A) x+cot(2x−y+1)=c (B) x+cot(x−y+1)=c (C) x−cot(2x−y+1)=c (D) x−cot(x−y+1)=c
›Reveal solutionSolution
Substituting v=x−y+1 turns this into a separable differential equation whose solution is x+cot(2x−y+1)=c.
Concept and Intuition
The equation sec(x−y+1)dy=dx only involves x and y through the combination x−y+1, which is the standard cue to substitute a single variable v for that combination, reducing the PDE-looking equation to a simple separable ODE in v and x.
Step-by-Step Solution
- Let v=x−y+1, so dxdv=1−dxdy.
- From secvdy=dx: dxdy=secv1=cosv.
- So dxdv=1−cosv.
- Separate variables: 1−cosvdv=dx.
- Using 1−cosv=2sin2(v/2): 21csc2(2v)dv=dx.
- Integrate: 21⋅[−2cot(2v)]=x+C⇒−cot(2v)=x+C. …
- AP EAPCET 2021Set eng-2021-08-24-FN1 markMCQQ.Solve the differential equation: dxdy=ex+y (A) ex+ey=c (B) ex−ey=c (C) ex+e−y=c (D) ex−e−y=c
›Reveal solutionSolution
This tests separation of variables on an exponential differential equation; the key subtlety is that separating ex+y gives e−ydy=exdx, so the y-term integrates to −e−y, not −ey.
Concept and Intuition
Whenever dxdy is a product of a function of x alone and a function of y alone, the equation is separable: we move all y-terms (including dy) to one side and all x-terms (including dx) to the other, then integrate independently. Here ex+y=exey splits cleanly this way.
Step-by-Step Solution
- Write dxdy=ex+y=exey.
- Separate variables: divide both sides by ey (equivalently multiply by e−y):
e−ydy=exdx
- Integrate both sides:
∫e−ydy=∫exdx
−e−y=ex+C1
- Rearrange to collect the constants on one side:
ex+e−y=−C1=c
where c is an arbitrary constant of integration.
Common Mistakes …
- AP EAPCET 2026Set eng-2026-05-18-AN1 markMCQQ.The general solution of the differential equation dxdy=x2y(x+y+xy+1) is y= (A) Ae3x3⋅e4x4(1+y) (B) (y+1)Ae3x3⋅e4−x4 (C) (y+1)+Ae3x3⋅e4x4 (D) e4x4Ae3x3(y+1)
›Reveal solutionSolution
Factoring x+y+xy+1=(1+x)(1+y) makes the ODE separable; integrating both sides and exponentiating gives y=Aex3/3ex4/4(1+y).
Concept and Intuition
Recognizing an algebraic factorization inside a differential equation is often the key to separating variables. Here x+y+xy+1 factors neatly as (1+x)(1+y), splitting the right side into a pure function of x times a pure function of y.
Step-by-Step Solution
- Factor: x+y+xy+1=(1+x)+y(1+x)=(1+x)(1+y).
- Rewrite the ODE:
dxdy=x2y(1+x)(1+y)=x2(1+x)⋅y(1+y)
- Separate variables:
y(1+y)dy=x2(1+x)dx
- Partial fractions on the left: y(1+y)1=y1−1+y1, so
∫(y1−1+y1)dy=log∣y∣−log∣1+y∣=log1+yy
- Right side: ∫x2(1+x)dx=∫(x2+x3)dx=3x3+4x4.
- So log1+yy=3x3+4x4+C1, giving …
- AP EAPCET 2022Set eng-2022-07-06-FN1 markMCQQ.The substitution dxdy=z, reduces the differential equation dx2d2y−dxdy=0 to a differential equation whose solution is z= (A) logx+C (B) x+C (C) Aex (D) x2+C
›Reveal solutionSolution
Substituting z=dy/dx turns the second-order equation into dz/dx=z, a separable ODE with solution z=Aex.
Concept and Intuition
This is the standard order-reduction trick: whenever an ODE involves y only through its first and second derivatives (no explicit y term), setting z=dy/dx turns it into a first-order ODE in z, which is often much easier to solve (here, purely separable).
Step-by-Step Solution
- Given dx2d2y−dxdy=0. Let z=dxdy, so dx2d2y=dxdz.
- Substituting: dxdz−z=0⇒dxdz=z.
- Separate variables: zdz=dx.
- Integrate: logz=x+c⇒z=ex+c=ec⋅ex. …
- AP EAPCET 2022Set eng-2022-07-07-FN1 markMCQQ.If a1a=b1b, then the substitution to be used to solve the differential equation dxdy=a1x+b1y+c1ax+by+c by using separation of variables is (A) x=x+h, y=y+k (B) ax+by=Z (C) y=V(x).x (D) x=at, y=bt
›Reveal solutionSolution
Proportional coefficients (a/a1=b/b1) mean the substitution Z=ax+by collapses the RHS to a function of Z alone, making the ODE separable.
Concept and Intuition
Normally dxdy=a1x+b1y+c1ax+by+c needs the "shift the origin" substitution x=X+h,y=Y+k — but that method fails exactly when a/a1=b/b1 (the two lines are parallel, so no unique intersection point (h,k) exists). In that degenerate case, set Z=ax+by; then a1x+b1y=aa1Z (a constant multiple of Z), so the whole RHS becomes a function of Z only, and dxdZ=a+bdxdy gives a separable equation in Z,x.
Step-by-Step Solution
- Since a/a1=b/b1=k (say), a1x+b1y=k1(ax+by).
- Let Z=ax+by. Then RHS =Z/k+c1Z+c, purely a function of Z. …
- AP EAPCET 2025Set eng-2025-05-26-FN1 markMCQQ.The general solution of the differential equation (2x−y)2dy−2(2x−y)2dx−2dx=0 is (A) log(2x−y)=2x+c (B) (2x−y)3+4y=c (C) (2x−y)3+6x=c (D) log(2x−y)=2y+c
›Reveal solutionSolution
This tests the substitution v=ax+by for a differential equation whose right side depends only on the combination 2x−y, turning it into a separable equation in v and x.
Concept and Intuition
Whenever an ODE's coefficients depend only on a linear combination like 2x−y (not on x,y separately), setting v=2x−y collapses two variables into one, because dxdv=2−dxdy lets us replace dxdy everywhere and separate variables in v alone.
Step-by-Step Solution
- Divide the given equation by (2x−y)2dx: dxdy=2+(2x−y)22.
- Let v=2x−y, so dxdv=2−dxdy, i.e. dxdy=2−dxdv.
- Substitute: 2−dxdv=2+v22 ⇒ −dxdv=v22 ⇒ dxdv=−v22.
- Separate: v2dv=−2dx. …
- AP EAPCET 2026Set eng-2026-05-15-AN1 markMCQQ.The general solution of the differential equation cos(x+y)dy=dx is (A) y=tan(2x+y)+c (B) y=xsec(xy)+c (C) y=−Cos−1(xy)+c (D) y=tan(x+y)+c
›Reveal solutionSolution
This tests solving a differential equation by a substitution u=x+y that turns it into a separable equation. The answer is (A).
Concept and Intuition
When an ODE contains only the combination x+y (not x and y separately) inside a function, the standard trick is to substitute u=x+y. This converts the equation into one relating u and one variable only, which is often separable even though the original wasn't in x,y directly.
Step-by-Step Solution
- The equation is cos(x+y)dy=dx, i.e. dydx=cos(x+y).
- Let u=x+y. Then dydu=dydx+1, so dydx=dydu−1.
- Substituting: dydu−1=cosu⇒dydu=1+cosu=2cos2(2u).
- Separate variables: 2cos2(u/2)du=dy⇒21sec2(2u)du=dy.
- Integrate: 21⋅2tan(2u)=y+c⇒tan(2u)=y+c. …
- AP EAPCET 2026Set eng-2026-05-18-FN1 markMCQQ.The general solution of the differential equation (4xy2−2xy+2x2y2−x2y)dx=dy is x2+3x3= (A) logyc(2y−1) (B) logyc∣2y−1∣ (C) logc(2y2−y) (D) logy2c(2y−1)
›Reveal solutionSolution
This is a separable (disguised) equation once the RHS is factored; separating and integrating both sides gives x2+3x3=logyc(2y−1).
Concept and Intuition
Many "ugly" first-order equations are separable after factoring out a common structure. Here y(2y−1) appears twice on the right, once multiplied by 2x and once by x2, so the whole RHS factors as (2y−1)y⋅x(x+2) — turning a messy quartic-looking expression into a clean separable form.
Step-by-Step Solution
- (4xy2−2xy+2x2y2−x2y)dx=dy⇒dxdy=4xy2−2xy+2x2y2−x2y.
- Group terms with x and x2 separately: 2xy(2y−1)+x2y(2y−1).
- Factor the common (2y−1)y: =(2y−1)y(2x+x2)=(2y−1)y⋅x(x+2).
- Separate variables: y(2y−1)dy=x(x+2)dx=(x2+2x)dx.
- Integrate the RHS: ∫(x2+2x)dx=3x3+x2 — exactly the LHS given in the problem, confirming the factoring.
- Integrate the LHS by partial fractions: y(2y−1)1=yA+2y−1B. Solving, 1=A(2y−1)+By; at y=0, A=−1; at y=21, B=2.
- So ∫(−y1+2y−12)dy=−ln∣y∣+ln∣2y−1∣=lny2y−1. …
- AP EAPCET 2025Set eng-2025-05-26-AN1 markMCQQ.The general solution of the differential equation xy(y+2)dy+(y3−1)dx=0 is (A) log∣x+2y∣+32tan−1(3xy−x)=c (B) log∣2x−y∣+32tan−1(3xx−y)=c (C) log∣xy−x∣+32tan−1(32y+1)=c (D) log∣x+y∣+32tan−1(3xx−2y)=c
›Reveal solutionSolution
Since x appears only linearly, treat x as the dependent variable — the equation separates in x and y, and partial fractions on the y-side give a log term plus an arctan term.
Concept and Intuition
When a first-order ODE is linear/separable in x (i.e. x appears only to the first power, multiplying everything), it's often easier to treat x=x(y) rather than y=y(x). Here that turns the whole equation into a simple separable one: dx/x=(function of y)dy.
Step-by-Step Solution
- Rewrite: xy(y+2)dy=−(y3−1)dx⇒xdx=−y3−1y(y+2)dy.
- Factor y3−1=(y−1)(y2+y+1).
- Partial fractions: (y−1)(y2+y+1)y2+2y=y−1A+y2+y+1By+C. Solving: A=1, B=0, C=1, so y3−1y(y+2)=y−11+y2+y+11.
- So xdx=−[y−11+y2+y+11]dy.
- Integrate: ln∣x∣=−ln∣y−1∣−∫y2+y+1dy+C.
- Complete the square: y2+y+1=(y+21)2+43, so ∫y2+y+1dy=32tan−1(32y+1). …
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