Q.Solve the following differential equation: The Integrating Factor of the differential equation $x \frac{dy}{dx} - y = 2x^2$ is (A) $e^{-x}$ (B) $e^{-y}$ (C) $\frac{1}{x}$ (D) $x$

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1. AP EAPCET 2022Set eng-2022-07-07-AN1 markMCQ
   Q.An integrating factor of the differential equation $(x^2+1)\dfrac{dy}{dx} + xy = x^3$ is (A) $\dfrac{x}{1+x^2}$ (B) $\dfrac{1}{2}\log(1+x^2)$ (C) $\sqrt{1+x^2}$ (D) $e^{\log(1+x^2)}$

   ›Reveal solutionSolution

   Writing the ODE in standard linear form $\frac{dy}{dx}+Py=Q$ and computing $e^{\int P\,dx}$ gives the integrating factor $\sqrt{1+x^2}$.

   Concept and Intuition

   A first-order linear ODE $\dfrac{dy}{dx}+P(x)y=Q(x)$ is solved by multiplying through by the integrating factor $\mu(x)=e^{\int P(x)\,dx}$, chosen precisely so that $\dfrac{d}{dx}\big[\mu(x)y\big]=\mu(x)Q(x)$. So the entire method hinges on correctly identifying $P(x)$ after dividing the equation into standard form.

   Step-by-Step Solution

   1. Start with $(x^2+1)\dfrac{dy}{dx}+xy=x^3$.
   2. Divide by $(x^2+1)$ to reach standard form: $\dfrac{dy}{dx}+\dfrac{x}{x^2+1}y=\dfrac{x^3}{x^2+1}$.
   3. Here $P(x)=\dfrac{x}{x^2+1}$.
   4. Compute $\int P(x)\,dx=\displaystyle\int \dfrac{x}{x^2+1}dx=\dfrac12\log(x^2+1)$ (substituting $u=x^2+1$). …

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2. AP EAPCET 2025Set eng-2025-05-21-FN1 markMCQ
   Q.The general solution of the equation $\dfrac{dy}{dx}+\dfrac{1}{x}y=\dfrac{1}{x}e^x$ is (A) $y=xe^x+c$ (B) $y=xe^x+ce^{-x}$ (C) $y=\dfrac{e^x+c}{x}$ (D) $y=\dfrac{e^{-x}+cx}{x}$

   ›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 $\dfrac{dy}{dx}+P(x)y=Q(x)$ is solved by multiplying through by the integrating factor $\mu=e^{\int P\,dx}$, which makes the left side a perfect derivative $\dfrac{d}{dx}(\mu y)$.

   Step-by-Step Solution

   1. Here $P(x)=\dfrac1x$, $Q(x)=\dfrac1x e^x$.
   2. Integrating factor: $\mu=e^{\int \frac1x dx}=e^{\log x}=x$.
   3. Multiply the ODE by $x$: $x\dfrac{dy}{dx}+y=e^x$, i.e. $\dfrac{d}{dx}(xy)=e^x$.
   4. Integrate both sides: $xy=e^x+c$. …

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3. AP EAPCET 2022Set eng-2022-07-05-AN1 markMCQ
   Q.The integrating factor of the linear differential equation $\dfrac{dy}{dx} + P(x)y = Q(x)$ is a solution of the differential equation (A) $\dfrac{dy}{dx} - P(x)y = 0$ (B) $\dfrac{dy}{dx} + P(x)y = 0$ (C) $\dfrac{dy}{dx} - \dfrac{y}{x} = P(x)$ (D) $\dfrac{dy}{dx} + \dfrac{x}{y} = P(x)$

   ›Reveal solutionSolution

   The integrating factor $\mu=e^{\int P\,dx}$ is itself a solution of the homogeneous equation $y'=P(x)y$.

   Concept and Intuition

   The whole point of the integrating factor is that $\dfrac{d}{dx}\big(\mu y\big)=\mu\dfrac{dy}{dx}+\mu P(x)y$ should equal $\mu\left(\dfrac{dy}{dx}+P(x)y\right)$, which requires $\dfrac{d\mu}{dx}=\mu P(x)$ — i.e. $\mu$ itself solves the first-order linear homogeneous ODE $y'-P(x)y=0$.

   Step-by-Step Solution

   1. The integrating factor is defined as $\mu(x)=e^{\int P(x)\,dx}$.
   2. Differentiate: $\mu'(x) = P(x)\,e^{\int P\,dx} = P(x)\mu(x)$.
   3. Rearranged: $\mu'(x) - P(x)\mu(x)=0$. …

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4. AP EAPCET 2024Set eng-2024-05-23-FN1 markMCQ
   Q.The solution of the differential equation $e^xy\,dx + e^x\,dy + x\,dx = 0$ is (A) $e^x+yx^2=c$ (B) $2ye^x+x^2=c$ (C) $ye^x+x^2e^y=c$ (D) $e^x+xe^y=c$

   ›Reveal solutionSolution

   The first two terms of the equation are exactly $d(ye^x)$; separating out the remaining $x\,dx$ 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 $u\,dv+v\,du=d(uv)$ (here with $u=y,\ v=e^x$) turns an equation that looks like it needs an integrating factor into a one-line integration.

   Step-by-Step Solution

   1. Given: $e^xy\,dx+e^x\,dy+x\,dx=0$.
   2. Recall $d(ye^x)=y\,d(e^x)+e^x\,dy=ye^x\,dx+e^x\,dy$ — exactly the first two terms of the given equation.
   3. So the equation becomes $d(ye^x)+x\,dx=0$, i.e. $d(ye^x)=-x\,dx$.
   4. Integrate both sides: $ye^x=-\dfrac{x^2}{2}+C$.
   5. Multiply through by 2: $2ye^x=-x^2+2C$, i.e. $2ye^x+x^2=c$ (writing $c=2C$).

   Common Mistakes …

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5. AP EAPCET 2024Set eng-2024-05-19-AN1 markMCQ
   Q.If $x\,dy+(y+y^2x)\,dx=0$ and $y=1$ at $x=1$, then (A) $y=\dfrac{x}{1+\log x}$ (B) $y=\dfrac{1+\log x}{x}$ (C) $y=x(1+\log x)$ (D) $y=\dfrac{1}{x(1+\log x)}$

   ›Reveal solutionSolution

   A Bernoulli equation in disguise; the substitution $v=1/y$ linearizes it, and the initial condition $y(1)=1$ pins down the constant to give $y=\dfrac{1}{x(1+\log x)}$.

   Concept and Intuition

   An equation of the form $\dfrac{dy}{dx}+P(x)y=Q(x)y^n$ is a Bernoulli equation. Dividing by $y^n$ and substituting $v=y^{1-n}$ converts it into a linear first-order ODE in $v$, which can then be solved with the standard integrating-factor method.

   Step-by-Step Solution

   1. Given $x\,dy+(y+y^2x)\,dx=0$. Divide by $dx$: $x\dfrac{dy}{dx}+y+y^2x=0$.
   2. Divide by $x$: $\dfrac{dy}{dx}+\dfrac{y}{x}=-y^2$ — a Bernoulli equation with $n=2$.
   3. Divide throughout by $y^2$: $y^{-2}\dfrac{dy}{dx}+\dfrac{1}{xy}=-1$.
   4. Let $v=y^{-1}$, so $\dfrac{dv}{dx}=-y^{-2}\dfrac{dy}{dx}$, i.e. $y^{-2}\dfrac{dy}{dx}=-\dfrac{dv}{dx}$.
   5. Substitute: $-\dfrac{dv}{dx}+\dfrac{v}{x}=-1 \Rightarrow \dfrac{dv}{dx}-\dfrac{v}{x}=1$, a linear ODE in $v$.
   6. Integrating factor $=e^{\int -1/x\,dx}=e^{-\log x}=\dfrac{1}{x}$.
   7. $\dfrac{d}{dx}\!\left(\dfrac{v}{x}\right)=\dfrac{1}{x} \Rightarrow \dfrac{v}{x}=\log x+C \Rightarrow v=x(\log x+C)$. …

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6. AP EAPCET 2023Set eng-2023-05-18-FN1 markMCQ
   Q.If $\log y$ is an integrating factor of $\dfrac{dx}{dy}+P(y)x=Q(y)$, then $P(y)=$ (A) $\dfrac{1}{y+\log y}$ (B) $\dfrac{y}{\log y}$ (C) $\dfrac{\log y}{y}$ (D) $\dfrac{1}{y\log y}$

   ›Reveal solutionSolution

   Working backward from the known integrating factor $\log y=e^{\int P(y)dy}$ and differentiating recovers $P(y)=\dfrac{1}{y\log y}$.

   Concept and Intuition

   For a linear ODE $\dfrac{dx}{dy}+P(y)x=Q(y)$ (linear in $x$, with $y$ as the independent variable), the integrating factor is $\mathrm{IF}=e^{\int P(y)\,dy}$. If we're told what the integrating factor equals, we can reverse-engineer $P(y)$ by taking logs and then differentiating.

   Step-by-Step Solution

   1. Standard fact: $\mathrm{IF}=e^{\int P(y)\,dy}$.
   2. Given $\mathrm{IF}=\log y$ (i.e. $\log y$), set $e^{\int P(y)dy}=\log y$.
   3. Take the natural log of both sides: $\displaystyle\int P(y)\,dy=\log(\log y)$.
   4. Differentiate both sides with respect to $y$ (by the Fundamental Theorem of Calculus, the left side gives back $P(y)$): $P(y)=\dfrac{d}{dy}\left[\log(\log y)\right]$.
   5. By the chain rule: $\dfrac{d}{dy}\log(\log y)=\dfrac{1}{\log y}\cdot\dfrac{d}{dy}(\log y)=\dfrac{1}{\log y}\cdot\dfrac1y=\dfrac{1}{y\log y}$. …

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7. AP EAPCET 2026Set eng-2026-05-15-AN1 markMCQ
   Q.The general solution of the differential equation $(1+y^2) + (x - e^{\tan^{-1}y})\frac{dy}{dx} = 0$ is (A) $xe^{\tan^{-1}y} = \tan^{-1}y + c$ (B) $x^2e^{2\tan^{-1}y} = e^{\tan^{-1}y} + c$ (C) $(x-2) = ce^{-\tan^{-1}y}$ (D) $2xe^{\tan^{-1}y} = e^{2\tan^{-1}y} + c$

   ›Reveal solutionSolution

   This is a first-order linear ODE that becomes linear in $x$ (not $y$) once you recognise the $\tan^{-1}y$ 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 $\dfrac{dx}{dy}+P(y)x=Q(y)$ and use the integrating factor $e^{\int P\,dy}$.

   Step-by-Step Solution

   1. Given: $(1+y^2)+(x-e^{\tan^{-1}y})\dfrac{dy}{dx}=0$.
   2. Rearranging: $(x-e^{\tan^{-1}y})\dfrac{dy}{dx}=-(1+y^2)$, so $\dfrac{dx}{dy}=\dfrac{x-e^{\tan^{-1}y}}{-(1+y^2)}=\dfrac{e^{\tan^{-1}y}-x}{1+y^2}$.
   3. This gives the linear form: $\dfrac{dx}{dy}+\dfrac{1}{1+y^2}x=\dfrac{e^{\tan^{-1}y}}{1+y^2}$.
   4. Integrating factor: $I=e^{\int \frac{dy}{1+y^2}}=e^{\tan^{-1}y}$.
   5. Multiply through: $\dfrac{d}{dy}\left(x\,e^{\tan^{-1}y}\right)=e^{\tan^{-1}y}\cdot\dfrac{e^{\tan^{-1}y}}{1+y^2}=\dfrac{e^{2\tan^{-1}y}}{1+y^2}$.
   6. Let $t=\tan^{-1}y$, so $dt=\dfrac{dy}{1+y^2}$. Then $\int e^{2t}\,dt=\tfrac12 e^{2t}$. …

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8. AP EAPCET 2026Set eng-2026-05-14-AN1 markMCQ
   Q.The general solution of the differential equation $\dfrac{dy}{dx}+\dfrac{y}{x}=x^2$ is (A) $y=\dfrac{1}{3}x^3+\dfrac{c}{x}$ (B) $y=\dfrac{1}{4}x^4+cx$ (C) $y=\dfrac{1}{4}x^3+c$ (D) $y=\dfrac{1}{4}x^3+cx^{-1}$

   ›Reveal solutionSolution

   A standard first-order linear ODE $\dfrac{dy}{dx}+P(x)y=Q(x)$; the integrating factor $x$ makes the left side an exact derivative, giving the general solution $y=\dfrac14x^3+\dfrac{c}{x}$.

   Concept and Intuition

   For a linear equation $\dfrac{dy}{dx}+P(x)y=Q(x)$, multiplying both sides by the integrating factor $\mu(x)=e^{\int P\,dx}$ turns the left side into the exact derivative $\dfrac{d}{dx}\big(\mu y\big)$, which can then be integrated directly.

   Step-by-Step Solution

   1. Here $P(x)=\dfrac1x$, $Q(x)=x^2$.
   2. Integrating factor: $\mu(x)=e^{\int \frac1x dx}=e^{\log x}=x$.
   3. Multiply through: $x\dfrac{dy}{dx}+y=x^3$, i.e. $\dfrac{d}{dx}(xy)=x^3$.
   4. Integrate both sides: $xy=\displaystyle\int x^3\,dx=\dfrac{x^4}{4}+c$. …

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9. AP EAPCET 2024Set eng-2024-05-20-AN1 markMCQ
   Q.Integrating factor of the differential equation $\sin x \dfrac{dy}{dx} - y\cos x = 1$ is (A) $\sin x$ (B) $\cos x$ (C) $\sec x$ (D) $\mathrm{cosec}\, x$

   ›Reveal solutionSolution

   Rewriting the equation in standard linear form and computing $e^{\int P\,dx}$ gives the integrating factor $\csc x$ — (D).

   Concept and Intuition

   A first-order linear ODE $\dfrac{dy}{dx}+P(x)y=Q(x)$ has integrating factor $e^{\int P(x)dx}$. The given equation must first be divided through so the coefficient of $\dfrac{dy}{dx}$ is exactly $1$.

   Step-by-Step Solution

   1. Given: $\sin x\dfrac{dy}{dx}-y\cos x=1$.
   2. Divide by $\sin x$: $\dfrac{dy}{dx}-\dfrac{\cos x}{\sin x}y=\dfrac1{\sin x}$, i.e. $\dfrac{dy}{dx}-(\cot x)y=\csc x$.
   3. Here $P(x)=-\cot x$.
   4. Integrating factor $=e^{\int -\cot x\,dx}=e^{-\log|\sin x|}=(\sin x)^{-1}=\csc x$.

   Common Mistakes …

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10. AP EAPCET 2024Set eng-2024-05-21-FN1 markMCQ
    Q.The solution of differential equation $(x + 2y^3)\dfrac{dy}{dx} = y$ is (A) $x = y(2xy + c)$ (B) $x = y(y^2 + c)$ (C) $y = x(x^2 + c)$ (D) $xy = \dfrac{y^4}{2} + c$

    ›Reveal solutionSolution

    Flipping the roles of $x$ and $y$ turns this into a standard linear ODE in $x$; solving it gives $x = y(y^2+c)$.

    Concept and Intuition

    The equation $(x+2y^3)\dfrac{dy}{dx}=y$ is not linear in $y$, but if we invert it and treat $x$ as a function of $y$, it becomes linear in $x$ — a very common trick when the equation is "linear except the dependent/independent variables are swapped."

    Step-by-Step Solution

    1. Invert: $\dfrac{dx}{dy}=\dfrac{x+2y^3}{y}$.
    2. Rearrange: $\dfrac{dx}{dy}-\dfrac{1}{y}x = 2y^2$. This is linear in $x$ with $P(y)=-\dfrac{1}{y}$, $Q(y)=2y^2$.
    3. Integrating factor: $IF=e^{\int P\,dy}=e^{-\int dy/y}=e^{-\log y}=\dfrac{1}{y}$.
    4. Multiply through: $\dfrac{d}{dy}\!\left(\dfrac{x}{y}\right)=\dfrac{2y^2}{y}=2y$. …

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11. AP EAPCET 2024Set eng-2024-05-18-FN1 markMCQ
    Q.The general solution of the differential equation $(\sin y\cos^2 y - x\sec^2 y)\,dy=(\tan y)\,dx$ is (A) $\tan y=3x\cos^3 y+c$ (B) $x(\sec y+\tan y)=\cos^2 y+c$ (C) $y\sin y=x^2\cos^2 y+c$ (D) $3x\tan y+\cos^3 y=c$

    ›Reveal solutionSolution

    Treating $x$ as the dependent variable turns this into a linear ODE with integrating factor $\tan y$, giving $3x\tan y+\cos^3y=c$.

    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

    1. Given: $(\sin y\cos^2y - x\sec^2y)\,dy=\tan y\,dx$. Solve for $dx/dy$: $\dfrac{dx}{dy}=\dfrac{\sin y\cos^2y-x\sec^2y}{\tan y}$.
    2. Split: $\dfrac{\sin y\cos^2y}{\tan y}=\sin y\cos^2y\cdot\dfrac{\cos y}{\sin y}=\cos^3y$, and $\dfrac{\sec^2y}{\tan y}=\dfrac{1}{\cos^2y}\cdot\dfrac{\cos y}{\sin y}=\dfrac{1}{\sin y\cos y}$.
    3. So $\dfrac{dx}{dy}=\cos^3y-\dfrac{x}{\sin y\cos y}$, i.e. $\dfrac{dx}{dy}+\dfrac{x}{\sin y\cos y}=\cos^3y$ — linear in $x$.
    4. Integrating factor: $\mu=\exp\left(\displaystyle\int\dfrac{dy}{\sin y\cos y}\right)$. Since $\dfrac{d}{dy}\log(\tan y)=\dfrac{\sec^2y}{\tan y}=\dfrac{1}{\sin y\cos y}$, we get $\mu=\tan y$.
    5. Then $\dfrac{d}{dy}(x\tan y)=\cos^3y\cdot\tan y=\cos^3y\cdot\dfrac{\sin y}{\cos y}=\cos^2y\sin y$. …

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12. AP EAPCET 2021Set eng-2021-08-23-AN1 markMCQ
    Q.Find the particular solution of the following differential equation, given that $y = 1$ when $x = 0$. $(1+x^2)\dfrac{dy}{dx} = e^{m(\text{Tan}^{-1}(x))} - y$ (A) $x\,e^{\text{Tan}^{-1}(x)} = \text{Tan}^{-1}(x) + 1$ (B) $x\,e^{\text{Tan}^{-1}(x)} = \text{Tan}^{-1}(x) - 1$ (C) $y\,e^{\text{Tan}^{-1}(x)} = \text{Tan}^{-1}(x) + 1$ (D) $y\,e^{\text{Tan}^{-1}(x)} = \text{Tan}^{-1}(x) - 1$

    ›Reveal solutionSolution

    This is a first-order linear ODE in $y$; the integrating factor $e^{\tan^{-1}x}$ turns the left side into an exact derivative, and the initial condition fixes the constant to $1$.

    Concept and Intuition

    Any equation of the form $(1+x^2)y' + y = g(x)$ is linear, since dividing by $(1+x^2)$ gives $y' + \dfrac{y}{1+x^2} = \dfrac{g(x)}{1+x^2}$, and the coefficient of $y$, $\dfrac{1}{1+x^2}$, integrates to $\tan^{-1}x$ — so the integrating factor is always $e^{\tan^{-1}x}$ for this family of equations.

    Step-by-Step Solution

    1. Rewrite: $\dfrac{dy}{dx}+\dfrac{y}{1+x^2} = \dfrac{e^{-\tan^{-1}x}}{1+x^2}$.
    2. Integrating factor: $\mu = e^{\int \frac{dx}{1+x^2}} = e^{\tan^{-1}x}$.
    3. Multiplying through: $\dfrac{d}{dx}\big[y\,e^{\tan^{-1}x}\big] = \dfrac{e^{\tan^{-1}x}\cdot e^{-\tan^{-1}x}}{1+x^2} = \dfrac{1}{1+x^2}$.
    4. Integrate both sides: $y\,e^{\tan^{-1}x} = \tan^{-1}x + C$. …

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