Q.Solve the following differential equation: (x2+xy)dy=(x2+y2)dx
Concept understanding — Homogeneous Differential Equation
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.
If instead the slope comes out as a function of x/y, the mirror substitution x=vy keeps the algebra clean — pick whichever ratio the equation hands you. Also watch for a constant solution coming from F(v)−v=0.
The one insight to carry away: a homogeneous equation reduces to a separable one, because only y/x matters and v=y/x turns that ratio into the new variable.
Homogeneous Differential Equations form a dedicated section of the CBSE Class 12 Differential Equations chapter, where the y = vx substitution method shown here is exactly the NCERT-prescribed technique tested in board exams. "Homogeneous differential equation class 12 examples" is a heavily searched revision topic, and this same substitution trick is useful for differential equation questions in JEE Main.
Homogeneous (every term is degree 2). Put y=vx, dxdy=v+xdxdv into dxdy=x2+xyx2+y2=1+v1+v2:
v+xdxdv=1+v1+v2⇒xdxdv=1+v1+v2−v(1+v)=1+v1−v.
Separate and write 1−v1+v=−1+1−v2:
∫(−1+1−v2)dv=∫xdx⇒−v−2log∣1−v∣=log∣x∣+C.
With v=xy and 1−v=xx−y this tidies to (x−y)2=Cxe−y/x.
(x−y)2=Cxe−y/x (equivalently −xy−2log1−xy=log∣x∣+C).
Homogeneous DE; with y=vx it separates to 1−v1+vdv=xdx, giving (x−y)2=Cxe−y/x.
1. Recognise homogeneity
dxdy=x2+xyx2+y2.
Numerator and denominator are both degree 2, so dividing through by x2 makes the right side depend only on v=y/x:
dxdy=1+v1+v2.
2. Substitute y=vx
Then dxdy=v+xdxdv, so
v+xdxdv=1+v1+v2.
3. Reduce to separable form
xdxdv=1+v1+v2−v=1+v1+v2−v−v2=1+v1−v.
So
1−v1+vdv=xdx.
4. Integrate
Write 1−v1+v=−1+1−v2:
∫(−1+1−v2)dv=∫xdx⇒−v−2log∣1−v∣=log∣x∣+C.
5. Return to x,y
With v=xy and 1−v=xx−y:
−xy−2logxx−y=log∣x∣+C.
Collecting logarithms, −xy−2log∣x−y∣+2log∣x∣=log∣x∣+C, i.e. log(x−y)2∣x∣=xy+C. Exponentiating,
(x−y)2=Cxe−y/x.
Check: differentiating (x−y)2=Cxe−y/x implicitly and simplifying returns y′=x2+xyx2+y2, the original equation.
(x−y)2=Cxe−y/x, equivalently −xy−2log1−xy=log∣x∣+C.
Method: Solving a homogeneous equation by y=vx
Use this when dxdy can be written purely in terms of xy — a homogeneous equation. The substitution y=vx turns it into a separable equation in v and x.
Steps
Step 1: Confirm homogeneity and substitute
Rewrite the right side as a function of v=xy. Set y=vx, so dxdy=v+xdxdv.
Step 2: Separate v from x
After substituting, the v terms group on one side and xdx on the other:
F(v)−vdv=xdx.
Step 3: Integrate and back-substitute
Integrate both sides, then replace v with xy to return to x,y.
Homogeneous means every term has the same total degree in x,y; that guarantees the right side depends only on y/x, which is what makes y=vx work.
Common Mistakes
Mistake 1: Forgetting dxdy=v+xdxdv after y=vx
Why it's wrong: writing only dxdy=v omits the product-rule term and breaks the whole method. Correct approach: differentiate y=vx properly to v+xdxdv.
Mistake 2: Errors simplifying 1+v1+v2−v
Why it's wrong: this must reduce to 1+v1−v before separating; algebra slips give a wrong integral. Correct approach: combine over a common denominator carefully.
Mistake 3: Not back-substituting v=xy
Why it's wrong: leaving the answer in v hides the actual x,y solution. Correct approach: replace v to reach (x−y)2=Cxe−y/x.
- JKBOSE Class 12 Annual Regular Examination 2023Set ANNUAL4 marksQ.Find general solution of differential equation: xdxdy−y+xsin(xy)=0
›Reveal solutionSolution
This is a homogeneous differential equation; substituting y=vx and separating variables gives xtan(y/2x)=C.
xdxdy−y+xsin(xy)=0
Step 1 — rewrite in the form dxdy= function of y/x.
xdxdy=y−xsin(xy)⟹dxdy=xy−sin(xy)
This is homogeneous (the right side depends only on y/x).
Step 2 — substitute y=vx, so dxdy=v+xdxdv:
v+xdxdv=v−sinv⟹xdxdv=−sinv
Step 3 — separate variables.
sinvdv=−xdx⟹∫cosecvdv=−∫xdx
Step 4 — integrate both sides (using ∫cosecvdv=lntan2v+C1):
lntan2v=−ln∣x∣+C1
lntan2v+ln∣x∣=C1⟹lnxtan2v=C1
xtan2v=C(where C=±eC1)
Step 5 — back-substitute v=y/x.
xtan(2xy)=C
✓Final answerThe general solution is xtan(2xy)=C.
- JKBOSE Class 12 Annual Regular Examination 2019Set WZ4 marksQ.Solve the homogeneous differential equation: (x2−y2)dx+2xydy=0
›Reveal solutionSolution
This is a homogeneous first-order ODE; substitute y=vx to separate variables.
(x2−y2)dx+2xydy=0⟹dxdy=2xyy2−x2
Let y=vx, so dxdy=v+xdxdv:
v+xdxdv=2x⋅vxv2x2−x2=2vv2−1
xdxdv=2vv2−1−v=2vv2−1−2v2=2v−(v2+1)
Separate: v2+12vdv=−xdx
Integrate: ln(v2+1)=−lnx+C⟹ln[x(v2+1)]=C⟹x(v2+1)=C1
Substitute back v=y/x: x(x2y2+1)=C1⟹xy2+x2=C1⟹x2+y2=C1x
✓Final answerThe general solution is x2+y2=Cx.
- JKBOSE Class 12 Annual Regular Examination 2018Set WZ4 marksQ.Show that the differential equation is homogeneous and solve it: (1+ex/y)dx+ex/y(1−yx)dy=0.
›Reveal solutionSolution
Both coefficients depend only on x/y, so the equation is homogeneous; the substitution x=vy separates the variables and integrates to x+yex/y=C.
Given (1+ex/y)dx+ex/y(1−yx)dy=0.
Homogeneity: writing dxdy=−ex/y(1−x/y)1+ex/y, the right side depends on x and y only through the ratio x/y (replacing x→λx, y→λy leaves it unchanged) — so this is a homogeneous differential equation of degree 0.
Solving: put x=vy (so v=x/y), giving dx=vdy+ydv. Substitute:
(1+ev)(vdy+ydv)+ev(1−v)dy=0
[(1+ev)v+ev(1−v)]dy+(1+ev)ydv=0
The bracket simplifies: v+vev+ev−vev=v+ev.
(v+ev)dy+(1+ev)ydv=0⟹ydy=−v+ev1+evdv
Integrating, and noting dvd(v+ev)=1+ev:
ln∣y∣=−ln∣v+ev∣+C0⟹lny(v+ev)=C0⟹y(v+ev)=C
Substitute back v=x/y:
y(yx+ex/y)=C⟹x+yex/y=C
✓Final answerGeneral solution: x+yex/y=C.
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