Q.Find the general solution of the differential equation dxdy=2−y1+x, (y=2).
Concept understanding — Separation Of Variables
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
Always check if g(y)=0 gives a solution. Here g(y)=y, so y=0 is also a solution (the trivial one). Our initial condition y(0)=3 picks the non-zero branch.
When Does It Apply?
Separation of Variables works for first-order ODEs of the form dxdy=f(x)g(y), and for certain partial differential equations like the heat equation (a more advanced use — the idea is the same: assume the solution is a product of functions of each variable). It does not work for equations where x and y are added, subtracted, or composed in non-product ways, or for higher-order ODEs (generally).
The Big Picture
Separation of Variables is your first real tool for solving differential equations. It reduces a problem with two moving parts into two independent single-variable integrals: you separate the variables, handle each alone, then reassemble with the initial condition. Think of it as untangling a knot by pulling the two ends apart — once separate, each piece is easy to deal with.
Separation of Variables is the very first solving technique taught in NCERT's Class 12 Differential Equations chapter and one of the most heavily tested skills in CBSE board exams and JEE Main. Students searching "separable differential equations important questions" or "differential equations class 12 formula" will find this method the starting point for almost every other technique in the chapter.
Concept: Separation of Variables — rewrite the equation so each variable appears on one side, then integrate.
Step 1: Multiply both sides by (2−y) and dx to separate:
(2−y)dy=(1+x)dx
Step 2: Integrate both sides:
∫(2−y)dy=∫(1+x)dx
2y−2y2=x+2x2+C
Step 3: Multiply through by 2 to simplify:
4y−y2=2x+x2+2C
Let 2C=C1 (an arbitrary constant). Rearranging gives the general solution in implicit form.
The general solution is x2+y2+2x−4y+C=0, where C is an arbitrary constant.
This is a first-order separable ODE. Separate the variables so that all y terms are on one side and all x terms on the other, then integrate both sides. The general solution is 2y−2y2=x+2x2+C, which can be rearranged to x2+2x+y2−4y+C=0.
The key idea here is Separation of Variables. When a differential equation can be written in the form dxdy=f(x)⋅g(y), you can treat dy and dx as differentials and rearrange so that each variable appears only on its own side of the equation. Then you integrate both sides — the left with respect to y, the right with respect to x — and add the constant of integration.
Let’s walk through it.
- Rewrite the equation to isolate the variables. We have
dxdy=2−y1+x.
Multiply both sides by (2−y)dx (valid since y=2):
(2−y)dy=(1+x)dx.
Now the y’s are on the left and the x’s on the right — exactly what we want.
- Integrate both sides.
∫(2−y)dy=∫(1+x)dx.
Compute each integral:
∫2dy−∫ydy=2y−2y2+C1,
∫1dx+∫xdx=x+2x2+C2.
Combine the constants into a single constant C=C2−C1:
2y−2y2=x+2x2+C.
- Simplify the result (optional but tidy). Multiply through by 2 to clear the fractions:
4y−y2=2x+x2+2C.
Let 2C=K (another constant), then bring everything to one side:
x2+2x+y2−4y+K=0.
This is the general solution in implicit form. You could complete the square to see it represents a circle, but that’s not necessary unless asked.
A common mistake is forgetting the constant of integration or trying to combine the two constants incorrectly. Always write +C on one side only after integrating — don’t keep separate constants unless you plan to merge them.
If the problem had an initial condition (like y(0)=1), you’d plug it into the implicit equation to find C. Without one, the general solution is a family of curves — here, a family of circles.
The general solution is x2+2x+y2−4y+C=0, where C is an arbitrary constant.
Method: Separation of variables
Use this whenever a first-order equation can be written as dxdy=f(x)g(y) — a pure function of x times (or divided by) a pure function of y, with no x and y tangled together in a sum.
Steps
Step 1: Recognise the separable form.
Rearrange until every y (including dy) sits on one side and every x (including dx) on the other:
dxdy=h(y)f(x)⟹h(y)dy=f(x)dx.
Note any value excluded to make the rearrangement legal (for example a denominator that must not be zero).
Step 2: Integrate both sides, adding ONE constant.
∫h(y)dy=∫f(x)dx+C.
Two indefinite integrals produce a single arbitrary constant — put +C on the x-side only.
Step 3: Simplify to a tidy implicit form.
Clear fractions and collect terms. Renaming 2C, −C, etc. as a fresh constant is allowed. The result is usually left implicit unless the question asks to solve for y.
Common Mistakes
Mistake 1: Omitting the constant of integration.
Why it's wrong: without +C you lose the entire family of solutions and report only one curve. Correct approach: add a single C after integrating (on the x-side is enough).
Mistake 2: Integrating (2−y) carelessly.
Why it's wrong: ∫(2−y)dy=2y−2y2; forgetting the 2y2 or its sign gives a wrong implicit relation. Correct approach: integrate term by term and keep the −2y2.
Mistake 3: Trying to separate before cross-multiplying.
Why it's wrong: the equation must first be written as (2−y)dy=(1+x)dx; students sometimes integrate the original quotient directly. Correct approach: cross-multiply to fully separate the variables, then integrate each side.
Showing the 12 most recent of 44 on this concept.
- CBSE 20241 markMCQQ.The solution of the differential equation dxdy=1−x+y−xy is : (A) log∣1+y∣=x−2x2+c (B) log∣1+y∣=−x+2x2+c (C) ey=x−2x2+c (D) e(1+y)=−x+2x2+c
›Reveal solutionSolution
The equation dxdy=1−x+y−xy can be factored and solved by separation of variables. The correct solution is log∣1+y∣=x−2x2+c, which corresponds to option (A).
The key to solving this is noticing that the right-hand side can be grouped into factors, each depending on only one variable. That’s the signal to use Separation of Variables — a method where we rewrite the equation so that all y terms are on one side and all x terms on the other, then integrate both sides.
Let’s see why this works here.
- Factor the right-hand side The given equation is:
dxdy=1−x+y−xy
Group the terms cleverly:
dxdy=(1−x)+y(1−x)
Factor out (1−x):
dxdy=(1−x)(1+y)
Now the derivative equals a product of a function of x and a function of y. That’s the perfect setup for separation.
- Separate the variables Multiply both sides by dx and divide by (1+y) (assuming 1+y=0 for now):
1+ydy=(1−x)dx
The variables are now isolated — y on the left, x on the right.
- Integrate both sides
∫1+ydy=∫(1−x)dx
The left integral is a standard logarithmic form:
log∣1+y∣=x−2x2+C
where C is the constant of integration.
Watch outA common mistake is to forget the absolute value inside the log, or to misplace the sign when integrating (1−x). Double-check: ∫(1−x)dx=x−2x2, not −x+2x2.
- Match with the options The result log∣1+y∣=x−2x2+C is exactly option (A). Option (B) has the signs swapped on the right, (C) has ey instead of log∣1+y∣, and (D) has an exponential form that doesn’t match.
TipIf you ever forget the integration constant, just remember: every indefinite integral produces one. It’s always added after integration — never before.
✓Final answerThe correct option is (A).
- CBSE 2026Set 65/2/11 markMCQQ.The general solution of the differential equation dxdy=xy is (A) logy=logx+C (B) y+x=C (C) y−x=C (D) logy+logx=C
›Reveal solutionSolution
This is a separable first-order ODE. Separate variables, integrate, and simplify to get y−x=C, which is option (C).
The key idea: whenever you see dxdy expressed as a ratio of functions of y and x alone, you can "separate" them — move all y terms to one side and all x terms to the other — then integrate each side independently. That's exactly what we have here: dxdy=xy.
Notice that y depends only on y, and x only on x. So the equation is already in separable form — we just need to rearrange it properly.
- Separate the variables. Multiply both sides by dx and divide by y:
ydy=xdx
This is valid as long as x>0 and y>0 (so the square roots are defined and non-zero).
- Integrate both sides. Each side is a standard power integral:
∫y−1/2dy=∫x−1/2dx
1/2y1/2=1/2x1/2+C1
which simplifies to:
2y=2x+C1
- Simplify the constant. Divide through by 2:
y=x+2C1
Let C=2C1 (just renaming the arbitrary constant). Then:
y−x=C
Watch outA common mistake is to forget the constant of integration or to combine the two integration constants incorrectly. When you integrate both sides, you get a constant on each side — but they can be merged into a single constant. Also, don't lose the factor of 2 from the power rule: ∫u−1/2du=2u1/2, not u1/2.
TipYou can check your answer quickly by differentiating implicitly. If y−x=C, then 2y1dxdy−2x1=0, which rearranges to dxdy=xy — exactly the original equation. That confirms the solution is correct.
Now compare with the options given:
- (A) logy=logx+C — this would come from integrating ydy=xdx, not our equation.
- (B) y+x=C — the sign is wrong; differentiating gives dxdy=−xy.
- (C) y−x=C — matches our result exactly.
- (D) logy+logx=C — again, not from our integration.
✓Final answerThe correct option is (C): y−x=C.
- CBSE 2026Set 65/3/11 markMCQQ.Questions number 19 and 20 are Assertion-Reason based questions. Two statements are given, one labelled Assertion (A) and the other labelled Reason (R). Select the correct answer from the codes: (A) Both Assertion (A) and Reason (R) are true and Reason (R) is the correct explanation of Assertion (A). (B) Both Assertion (A) and Reason (R) are true, but Reason (R) is not the correct explanation of Assertion (A). (C) Assertion (A) is true, but Reason (R) is false. (D) Assertion (A) is false, but Reason (R) is true. Assertion (A): A particular solution of the differential equation dxdy=ex+y is ex+e−y=−2. Reason (R): The general solution of the differential equation dxdy=ex+y is ex+e−y=C.
›Reveal solutionSolution
Separate variables in dxdy=ex+y to find the general solution ex+e−y=C; the particular solution ex+e−y=−2 is impossible because the left side is always positive while the right is negative.
The differential equation dxdy=ex+y is separable. The key insight is to rewrite the exponential sum in the exponent as a product: ex+y=ex⋅ey. This lets us collect all x-terms with dx and all y-terms with dy.
Solving the differential equation
- Separate the variables.
dxdy=ex⋅ey
Rearranging:
eydy=exdx
or equivalently,
e−ydy=exdx
- Integrate both sides.
∫e−ydy=∫exdx
The left side gives −e−y and the right gives ex:
−e−y=ex+C1
where C1 is an arbitrary constant.
- Rearrange to standard form. Multiply through by −1:
e−y=−ex−C1
or equivalently,
ex+e−y=−C1
Renaming −C1 as C (still an arbitrary constant):
ex+e−y=C
This is the general solution, so Reason (R) is true.
Checking the particular solution
Now examine the proposed particular solution ex+e−y=−2.
For this to be valid, we need C=−2 in the general solution. But notice:
- ex>0 for all real x
- e−y>0 for all real y
- Therefore ex+e−y>0 for all real x,y
The sum of two positive quantities can never equal −2.
Watch outA common mistake is to verify only that a proposed solution has the correct form without checking whether the constant makes physical/mathematical sense. Here the form matches the general solution, but the constant value is impossible.
The particular solution ex+e−y=−2 has no real solutions (x,y), so Assertion (A) is false.
✓Final answerThe correct option is (D): Assertion (A) is false, but Reason (R) is true.
- CBSE 2026Set CX1 markMCQQ.The solution of dxdy=ex+y is:(a) e−y=ex+c(b) ex+e−y=c(c) e−x−e−y=c(d) e−x+e−y=c
›Reveal solutionSolution
The equation is variable-separable; separating and integrating gives ex+e−y=c — option (b).
Why separate? Since ex+y=exey, the right side factors into an x-part and a y-part, so the variables separate cleanly.
dxdy=exey⇒e−ydy=exdx
Integrating both sides:
−e−y=ex+c1⇒ex+e−y=c(c=−c1).
✓Final answerOption (b) ex+e−y=c.
- CBSE 2026Set A1 markMCQQ.The solution of differential equation dxdy=ex+y is(a) ex+e−y=k(b) ex+ey=k(c) e−x+ey=k(d) e−x+e−y=k
›Reveal solutionSolution
Separate variables in dxdy=ex+y: ∫e−ydy=∫exdx⇒ex+e−y=k.
Write dxdy=ex+y=ex⋅ey and separate:
e−ydy=exdx.
Integrate both sides: −e−y=ex+C, i.e. ex+e−y=−C=k.
✓Final answer(A) ex+e−y=k.
- CBSE 2026Set A1 markMCQQ.The solution of differential equation xdxdy=coty is(a) xcosy=k(b) xtany=k(c) xsecy=k(d) xsiny=k
›Reveal solutionSolution
Separate variables: ∫tanydy=∫xdx⇒log∣secy∣=log∣x∣+c⇒xcosy=k.
From xdxdy=coty, separate:
cotydy=xdx⇒tanydy=xdx.
Integrate: log∣secy∣=log∣x∣+c. So secy=ecx, giving cosy1=Cx, i.e. xcosy=C1=k.
✓Final answer(A) xcosy=k.
- CBSE 2026Set ANNUAL1 markQ.The general solution of the differential equation dxdy=1+x21+y2 is __________.
›Reveal solutionSolution
Separate variables and integrate both sides using the standard integral of 1/(1+t2).
1+y2dy=1+x2dx
Integrating both sides: tan−1y=tan−1x+C.
✓Final answerThe general solution is tan−1y=tan−1x+C.
- CBSE 2026Set ANNUAL1 markMCQQ.The general solution of the differential equation dxdy=ex+y is:(a) ex+e−y=c(b) ex+ey=c(c) e−x+ey=c(d) e−x+e−y=c
›Reveal solutionSolution
Separate variables using ex+y=ex⋅ey and integrate both sides.
dxdy=ex+y=ex⋅ey
Separating variables: e−ydy=exdx
Integrating: −e−y=ex+C1
⇒ex+e−y=−C1=c
✓Final answerOption (a): ex+e−y=c
- CBSE 2026Set ANNUAL1 markQ.Find the general solution of the differential equation \frac{dy}{dx} = (1 + x^2)(1 + y^2).
›Reveal solutionSolution
tan−1y=x+3x3+c.
Concept. A separable differential equation dxdy=g(x)h(y) is solved by collecting all y-terms on one side and all x-terms on the other, then integrating both sides.
Steps.
-
dxdy=(1+x2)(1+y2).
-
Separate: 1+y2dy=(1+x2)dx.
-
Integrate both sides: ∫1+y2dy=∫(1+x2)dx.
-
tan−1y=x+3x3+c.
✓Final answertan−1y=x+3x3+c (general solution).
-
- CBSE 2026Set ANNUAL1 markMCQQ.The solution of the differential equation (x2+1)dxdy=1, y(1)=2π is(a) y=tan−1x+3π(b) y=tan−1x(c) y=tan−1x+6π(d) y=tan−1x+4π
›Reveal solutionSolution
Integrating gives y=tan−1x+C; the condition fixes C=4π.
Step 1: (x2+1)dxdy=1⇒dy=x2+1dx.
Step 2: Integrating, y=tan−1x+C.
Step 3: Apply y(1)=2π: 2π=tan−11+C=4π+C⇒C=4π.
✓Final answery=tan−1x+4π — option (D).
- CBSE 2025Set ANNUAL1 markMCQQ.The general solution to the differential equation yydx−xdy=0 is:(a) y=cx(b) x=cy2(c) xy=c(d) y=cx2
›Reveal solutionSolution
Separate variables and integrate.
yydx−xdy=0⟹ydx=xdy⟹xdx=ydy
Integrating both sides: ln∣x∣=ln∣y∣+ln∣c1∣⟹x=c1y⟹y=cx (relabelling the constant).
✓Final answer(i) y=cx
- CBSE 2025Set ANNUAL1 markMCQQ.The general solution of the differential equation dxdy=ex+y is(a) ex+ey=C(b) e−x+ey=C(c) ex+e−y=C(d) e−x+e−y=C
›Reveal solutionSolution
Separate variables (e−ydy=exdx) and integrate both sides.
dxdy=ex+y=ex⋅ey
Separating variables:
e−ydy=exdx
Integrating both sides:
∫e−ydy=∫exdx
−e−y=ex+C1
ex+e−y=−C1=C
✓Final answerex+e−y=C — option (c)
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