Q.Solve the following differential equation: xdy−ydx=x2+y2dx
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Homogeneous Differential Equations
The idea: only the ratio y/x matters
A function f(x,y) is homogeneous of degree n if scaling both variables by t scales the function by tn: f(tx,ty)=tnf(x,y). For example f(x,y)=x2+y2 gives f(tx,ty)=t2(x2+y2) — degree 2.
A first-order equation
dxdy=f(x,y)
is called homogeneous when f is homogeneous of degree 0, i.e. f(tx,ty)=f(x,y). Scaling then changes nothing, which means the slope depends only on the ratio y/x, never on the absolute sizes. So a homogeneous equation can always be recast as
dxdy=F(xy).
Quick test in the form M(x,y)dx+N(x,y)dy=0: if every term of M and N has the same total degree (sum of the powers of x and y), the equation is homogeneous. E.g. in (x2+y2)dx−2xydy=0 both M and N are degree 2.
Why we care: it becomes separable
Recognising homogeneity buys you a guaranteed method. Substitute
y=vx⇒dxdy=v+xdxdv.
Putting this into dxdy=F(v) gives
v+xdxdv=F(v)⇒xdxdv=F(v)−v,
which separates:
F(v)−vdv=xdx.
Integrate both sides, then replace v by y/x to return to the original variables. …
The key idea is that the equation is homogeneous — it can be written in the form dxdy=f(xy).
Step 1: Rewrite the equation.
Divide through by dx (assuming x=0):
xdxdy−y=x2+y2⇒dxdy=xy+x2+y2.
Step 2: Substitute y=vx, so dxdy=v+xdxdv.
The equation becomes:
v+xdxdv=xvx+x2+v2x2=v+1+v2.
Step 3: Simplify and separate variables:
xdxdv=1+v2⇒1+v2dv=xdx. …
This is a homogeneous differential equation. Substituting y=vx reduces it to a separable form. The general solution is y+x2+y2=Cx2.
1. Why this is a homogeneous equation
A first-order differential equation is called homogeneous if it can be written in the form
dxdy=F(xy).
Here, the given equation is:
xdy−ydx=x2+y2dx
Divide through by dx:
xdxdy−y=x2+y2
So
dxdy=xy+x2+y2
The right-hand side depends only on y/x because:
xy+x2+y2=xy+1+(xy)2
That’s exactly F(y/x). So the substitution y=vx will work.
Always check homogeneity by rewriting the RHS in terms of v=y/x. If you can, the substitution is valid.
2. Substitute y=vx
Let y=vx, where v is a function of x. Then:
dxdy=v+xdxdv
Plug into the equation:
v+xdxdv=xvx+x2+v2x2
Simplify the RHS:
v+xdxdv=v+1+v2
Cancel v from both sides:
xdxdv=1+v2
3. Separate variables
Now we have a separable equation:
1+v2dv=xdx
Integrate both sides.
∫1+v2dv=sinh−1vorlog(v+1+v2)+C
We’ll use the logarithmic form because it’s more convenient later.
4. Integrate
Left side:
∫1+v2dv=log(v+1+v2)
Right side:
∫xdx=log∣x∣+logC …
Method: Homogeneous equation with a square root (x2+y2)
Use this for xdy−ydx=x2+y2dx, where the root is homogeneous of degree 1, so y=vx reduces it to a 1+v2dv integral.
Steps
Step 1: Solve for dxdy and substitute y=vx
Rearrange to dxdy=xy+x2+y2, then substitute; the root becomes x1+v2 (for x>0).
Step 2: Cancel and separate
The v cancels, leaving xdxdv=1+v2, i.e. 1+v2dv=xdx. …
Common Mistakes
Mistake 1: Pulling x out of x2+y2 as x instead of ∣x∣
Why it's wrong: x2+y2=∣x∣1+v2; the sign of x matters for the domain. Correct approach: state the branch (e.g. x>0) so x2+y2=x1+v2.
Mistake 2: Misremembering ∫1+v2dv …
Showing the 12 most recent of 32 on this concept.
- AP EAPCET 2024Set eng-2024-05-22-FN1 markMCQQ.The general solution of the differential equation xdy−ydx=x2+y2dx is (A) y+x2+y2=cx2 (B) y+x2+y2=cx (C) x+x2+y2=cy (D) x−x2+y2=cy2
›Reveal solutionSolution
A homogeneous differential equation, solved with the substitution y=vx. Answer: y+x2+y2=cx2.
Concept and Intuition
Every term here — xdy, ydx, and x2+y2dx — scales the same way if x,y are both scaled by the same factor, which is the signature of a homogeneous equation. The standard substitution y=vx converts it into a separable equation in v and x.
Step-by-Step Solution
- Write dxdy=xy+x2+y2 (dividing through by dx, taking x>0).
- Let y=vx, so dxdy=v+xdxdv. Then: v+xdxdv=xvx+x2+v2x2=v+1+v2.
- So xdxdv=1+v2, which separates: 1+v2dv=xdx.
- Integrate: log(v+1+v2)=logx+logC⇒v+1+v2=Cx. …
- AP EAPCET 2024Set eng-2024-05-19-AN1 markMCQQ.The solution of xdy−ydx=x2+y2dx when y(3)=1 is (A) y2+x2+y2=x2 (B) 5y−x2+y2=x2 (C) y+x2+y2=x2 (D) 5y2−x2+y2=x
›Reveal solutionSolution
A homogeneous first-order ODE; the substitution y=vx reduces it to a separable equation, and the given point fixes the constant to give y+x2+y2=x2.
Concept and Intuition
An equation is homogeneous in x,y when dxdy can be written purely as a function of y/x. The standard trick is y=vx, dxdy=v+xdxdv, which always converts a homogeneous equation into a separable one in v and x.
Step-by-Step Solution
- Given xdy−ydx=x2+y2dx, so dxdy=xy+x2+y2 (taking x>0).
- Put y=vx, so dxdy=v+xdxdv.
- RHS becomes xvx+x2+v2x2=v+1+v2.
- So v+xdxdv=v+1+v2⇒xdxdv=1+v2.
- Separate: 1+v2dv=xdx.
- Integrate: log(v+1+v2)=logx+C1⇒v+1+v2=kx (with k=eC1). …
- AP EAPCET 2026Set eng-2026-05-13-AN1 markMCQQ.The general solution of the differential equation x(dxdy)2+2xydxdy+y=0 is (A) x+y=c (B) x+y=c (C) x2+y2=c2 (D) x−y=c
›Reveal solutionSolution
The equation is a perfect-square quadratic in dy/dx (discriminant zero), which reduces it to a simple separable equation whose solution is x+y=c.
Concept and Intuition
When a differential equation is quadratic in p=dy/dx, check the discriminant. If it is a perfect square (or zero), the quadratic factors nicely, collapsing the equation to a single, much simpler first-order relation that can be solved by separation of variables.
Step-by-Step Solution
- Given: x(dxdy)2+2xydxdy+y=0. Let p=dy/dx: xp2+2xyp+y=0.
- Treat as a quadratic in p: discriminant =(2xy)2−4(x)(y)=4xy−4xy=0.
- Since the discriminant is zero, p=2x−2xy=−xxy=−xy (using xy/x=y/x).
- So dxdy=−xy, which separates as ydy=−xdx.
- Integrate both sides: 2y=−2x+C1⇒x+y=2C1. …
- AP EAPCET 2022Set eng-2022-07-08-AN1 markMCQQ.The general solution of xdy - ydx = ydy is (A) y=Ae−x/y (B) y=Aex (C) xy=Aex (D) yx+xy=C
›Reveal solutionSolution
The ODE is homogeneous; solving with y=Vx and simplifying the resulting logarithmic relation gives y=Ae−x/y.
Concept and Intuition
"xdy−ydx" style equations are homogeneous in x,y and standardly solved by substituting y=Vx, which turns them into separable equations in V and x.
Step-by-Step Solution
- Rearrange: xdy−ydy=ydx⇒dy(x−y)=ydx⇒dxdy=x−yy.
- Let y=Vx, so dxdy=V+xdxdV. RHS becomes x−VxVx=1−VV.
- So V+xdxdV=1−VV⇒xdxdV=1−VV−V(1−V)=1−VV2.
- Separate: V21−VdV=xdx⇒(V21−V1)dV=xdx.
- Integrate: −V1−logV=logx+C1.
- Substitute back V=y/x: −yx−logxy=logx+C1⇒−yx−logy+logx=logx+C1⇒−yx−logy=C1. …
- AP EAPCET 2025Set eng-2025-05-22-AN1 markMCQQ.The general solution of the differential equation dxdy=x−yx+y is (A) y−x=cx2 (B) Tan−1(xy)=log(cxx2+y2) (C) x+y=cx2 (D) Tan−1(xy)=log(cx2+y2)
›Reveal solutionSolution
The equation is homogeneous of degree 0; the substitution y=vx separates variables and integrates to the polar-flavoured solution Tan−1(y/x)=log(cx2+y2).
Concept and Intuition
dxdy=x−yx+y is homogeneous (both numerator and denominator scale the same way under x→λx,y→λy), so y=vx turns it into a separable equation in v and x. The appearance of both Tan−1(y/x) and log(x2+y2) afterwards is typical whenever the separated integral produces both an arctangent and a logarithm term.
Step-by-Step Solution
- Let y=vx, so dxdy=v+xdxdv. Then v+xdxdv=1−v1+v.
- xdxdv=1−v1+v−v=1−v1+v−v(1−v)=1−v1+v2.
- Separate: 1+v21−vdv=xdx, i.e. (1+v21−1+v2v)dv=xdx.
- Integrate: Tan−1v−21log(1+v2)=logx+C.
- So Tan−1v=logx+21log(1+v2)+C=log(x1+v2)+C. …
- AP EAPCET 2026Set eng-2026-05-18-FN1 markMCQQ.The general solution of the differential equation y(2x+y)dx=x(x+y)dy is (A) log(ycx2)+xy=0 (B) log(cx2y)+xy=0 (C) log(cx2y2)+xy=0 (D) log(cx2y)+xy=0
›Reveal solutionSolution
A homogeneous ODE solved by the substitution y=vx; simplifying and integrating gives log(cx2y)+xy=0.
Concept and Intuition
y(2x+y)dx=x(x+y)dy is homogeneous of degree 2 on both sides, so the standard substitution y=vx (with dy=vdx+xdv) reduces it to a separable equation in v and x.
Step-by-Step Solution
- Put y=vx, dy=vdx+xdv.
- LHS: y(2x+y)=vx(2x+vx)=vx2(2+v).
- RHS: x(x+y)dy=x⋅x(1+v)(vdx+xdv)=x2(1+v)(vdx+xdv).
- Equation becomes vx2(2+v)dx=x2(1+v)(vdx+xdv). Divide by x2: v(2+v)dx=v(1+v)dx+x(1+v)dv.
- Subtract v(1+v)dx from both sides: v[(2+v)−(1+v)]dx=x(1+v)dv⇒vdx=x(1+v)dv.
- Separate: xdx=v1+vdv=(v1+1)dv.
- Integrate: logx=logv+v+C⇒logvx−v=C.
- Substitute back v=y/x, so x/v=x2/y: logyx2−xy=C. …
- AP EAPCET 2025Set eng-2025-05-21-FN1 markMCQQ.The general solution of the differential equation (xsinxy)dy=(ysinxy−x)dx is (A) logx+tanxy=c (B) logx+cosxy=c (C) logx−sinxy=c (D) logx−cosxy=c
›Reveal solutionSolution
This is a homogeneous first-order ODE solved via y=vx; the answer is (D).
Concept and Intuition
When every term in the ODE is a function of y/x times some power of x or y (a homogeneous equation), the substitution y=vx (so v=y/x) reduces it to a separable equation in v and x.
Step-by-Step Solution
- The given equation is (xsinxy)dy=(ysinxy−x)dx, so
dxdy=xsin(y/x)ysin(y/x)−x.
- Substitute y=vx, dxdy=v+xdxdv. The right side becomes xsinvvxsinv−x=sinvvsinv−1=v−sinv1.
- So v+xdxdv=v−sinv1, giving xdxdv=−sinv1.
- Separate variables: sinvdv=−xdx. …
- AP EAPCET 2024Set eng-2024-05-18-FN1 markMCQQ.The general solution of the differential equation (x−y−1)dy=(x+y+1)dx is (A) tan−1(xy+1)−21log(x2+y2+2y+1)=c (B) (x−y)+log(x+y)=c (C) y2−x2+xy−3y−x=c (D) (x−y−1)2(x+y+1)3=c
›Reveal solutionSolution
A shift of origin to where x+y+1=0 meets x−y−1=0 turns this into a standard homogeneous equation, giving tan−1(xy+1)−21log(x2+y2+2y+1)=c.
Concept and Intuition
Equations of the form dxdy=a′x+b′y+c′ax+by+c that are not homogeneous (because of the constant terms) can be made homogeneous by shifting the origin to the point where the two linear expressions both vanish — this removes the constants and leaves a pure ratio of linear terms in the new variables.
Step-by-Step Solution
- Given (x−y−1)dy=(x+y+1)dx, i.e. dxdy=x−y−1x+y+1.
- Find the point where x+y+1=0 and x−y−1=0 intersect: adding gives 2x=0⇒x=0; then y=−1.
- Shift: let X=x, Y=y+1 (so x=X, y=Y−1). Then x+y+1=X+Y and x−y−1=X−Y.
- The equation becomes dXdY=X−YX+Y — homogeneous of degree 0.
- Let Y=vX, so dXdY=v+XdXdv=1−v1+v.
- So XdXdv=1−v1+v−v=1−v1+v2, giving 1+v21−vdv=XdX.
- Integrate: ∫1+v2dv−∫1+v2vdv=logX+c, i.e. tan−1v−21log(1+v2)=logX+c.
- Substitute back v=Y/X=(y+1)/x: 1+v2=x2x2+(y+1)2, so 21log(1+v2)=21log(x2+(y+1)2)−log∣x∣. …
- AP EAPCET 2025Set eng-2025-05-23-AN1 markMCQQ.The general solution of the differential equation (x−(x+y)log(x+y))dx+xdy=0 is (A) ylog(x+y)=cx (B) xlog(x+y)=cy (C) log(x+y)=cy (D) log(x+y)=cx
›Reveal solutionSolution
This tests recognizing that regrouping terms via v=x+y converts an awkward mixed equation into a separable one. The general solution is log(x+y)=cx, option (D).
Concept and Intuition
The given equation mixes x, y, and log(x+y) in a way that isn't obviously separable or linear at first glance. The key insight is spotting that dx+dy (which appears once you regroup) is exactly d(x+y) — so substituting v=x+y collapses the two-variable equation into one purely in v and x, which then separates cleanly.
Step-by-Step Solution
- Expand the given equation: xdx−(x+y)log(x+y)dx+xdy=0.
- Regroup: x(dx+dy)=(x+y)log(x+y)dx.
- Let v=x+y, so dv=dx+dy. The equation becomes xdv=vlogvdx.
- Separate variables: vlogvdv=xdx.
- For the left side, let w=logv, dw=vdv, so vlogvdv=wdw, integrating to log∣w∣=log∣logv∣.
- Integrate both sides: log∣logv∣=log∣x∣+C1⇒logv=kx for some constant k (absorbing eC1 and sign). …
- AP EAPCET 2023Set eng-2023-05-17-FN1 markMCQQ.Which one of the following is a homogeneous differential equation? (A) dxdy=x3+(sinx)y (B) dxdy=(x3+y3)ex/y+xy (C) (x2+y2)dx=2xydy (D) xdxdy=y+ex/y
›Reveal solutionSolution
Only option (C) has both numerator and denominator of the same total degree when written as dy/dx=F(x,y), so it is the homogeneous equation.
Concept and Intuition
A first-order DE dxdy=F(x,y) is homogeneous if F(λx,λy)=F(x,y) for all λ — equivalently, if F can be written purely as a function of t=y/x. The quickest test is to check whether every additive term in F scales with the same power of λ when x→λx,y→λy.
Step-by-Step Solution
- (A) dxdy=x3+(sinx)y: under x→λx,y→λy, this becomes λ3x3+(sinλx)λy — the terms don't scale uniformly, and sinx isn't scale-invariant at all. Not homogeneous.
- (B) dxdy=(x3+y3)ex/y+xy: the exponential factor ex/y is scale-invariant (since x/y is unchanged by x→λx,y→λy), so (x3+y3)ex/y scales as λ3; but xy scales as λ3/2. Different degrees ⇒ not homogeneous.
- (C) Rewrite as dxdy=2xyx2+y2. Numerator scales as λ2, denominator as λ2, so the ratio is invariant under x→λx,y→λy — genuinely a function of y/x only: 2(y/x)1+(y/x)2. Homogeneous. …
- AP EAPCET 2025Set eng-2025-05-27-FN1 markMCQQ.The general solution of the differential equation (xsinxy)dy=(ysinxy−x)dx is (A) cos(xy)=log∣x∣+c (B) cos(xy)=x1+c (C) cos(yx)=log∣y∣+c (D) cosxy=x2+c
›Reveal solutionSolution
The equation is homogeneous in x,y; the substitution y=vx makes it separable and integrates to cos(y/x)=log∣x∣+c.
Concept and Intuition
A differential equation where every term has the same total degree in x,y (here, degree 1, since xsin(y/x) and ysin(y/x) and x are all "degree 1" once y/x is treated as dimensionless) is homogeneous, and the standard move is y=vx: it reduces the two variables x,y to one variable v=y/x plus x, making the equation separable.
Step-by-Step Solution
- Given: (xsin(y/x))dy=(ysin(y/x)−x)dx.
- Let y=vx, so dy=vdx+xdv and y/x=v. Substitute:
xsinv(vdx+xdv)=(vxsinv−x)dx.
- Expand: xvsinvdx+x2sinvdv=xvsinvdx−xdx.
- The xvsinvdx terms on both sides cancel exactly, leaving x2sinvdv=−xdx ⇒ sinvdv=−xdx(x=0). …
- AP EAPCET 2024Set eng-2024-05-20-AN1 markMCQQ.The general solution of the differential equation (xsinxy)dy=(ysinxy−x)dx is (A) cosyx=logex+c (B) cosxy=logex+c (C) cosyx=logey+c (D) cosxy=logey+c
›Reveal solutionSolution
This is a homogeneous DE; the substitution y=vx cleanly separates variables, giving cos(y/x)=logex+c — (B).
Concept and Intuition
An equation is homogeneous when every term has the same total "degree" once you notice it depends only on the ratio y/x. The standard substitution y=vx turns it into a separable equation in v and x.
Step-by-Step Solution
- Given: (xsinxy)dy=(ysinxy−x)dx.
- Let y=vx⇒dy=vdx+xdv, and xy=v.
- Substitute: xsinv(vdx+xdv)=(vxsinv−x)dx.
- Expand LHS: vxsinvdx+x2sinvdv. RHS: vxsinvdx−xdx.
- The vxsinvdx term cancels from both sides, leaving: x2sinvdv=−xdx.
- Divide by x2 (assuming x=0): sinvdv=−xdx.
- Integrate both sides: −cosv=−ln∣x∣+C1⇒cosv=ln∣x∣+C (relabeling the constant).
- Substitute back v=y/x: cosxy=logex+c. …
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