A first-order differential equation is separable if it can be rearranged so that every y (and dy) is on one side and every x (and dx) is on the other — that is, written as h(y)y′=g(x), or equivalently as f1(x)g1(y)dx+f2(x)g2(y)dy=0.
Method.
Rearrange the given equation into the separated form
f2(x)f1(x)dx=−g1(y)g2(y)dy.
Integrate both sides independently:
∫f2(x)f1(x)dx=−∫g1(y)g2(y)dy+C.
Only one arbitrary constant C is needed — the two constants that would arise from integrating each side separately combine into a single overall constant.
3. If an initial condition is given (e.g. y=y0 at x=x0), substitute it into the integrated equation to evaluate C and obtain the particular solution.
"Solving" a differential equation is therefore also called "integrating" it, since the whole process reduces to two ordinary integrations once the variables are separated.
Recognising a separable equation in disguise. Many equations that do not look separable at first become separable after a short algebraic step:
Product-to-sum trig identities — e.g. cos(x+y)+cos(x−y)=2cosxcosy — turn a mixed trigonometric equation into one where x and y split apart.
Recognising an exact differential — noticing that y2ydx−xdy=d(yx) lets an equation be separated in the single combined variable yx directly, without a full substitution. …
Ten small separable/substitution equations. (i)-(iv), (vii)-(x) are direct separation (some need u-substitution or a product-to-sum identity); (v)-(vi) reduce cleanly via a recognised exact-differential or logarithm identity. …
Step 2. (ii) ydx+(1+x2)tan−1xdy=0. Separate: ydy=−(1+x2)tan−1xdx. Integrate (right side is −d[ln(tan−1x)] since dxdtan−1x=1+x21): ln∣y∣=−ln∣tan−1x∣+C1⟹ytan−1x=C.
Step 3. (iii) sindxdy=a,y(0)=1. This means dxdy=sin−1a, a constant. Integrate: y=xsin−1a+C. Apply y(0)=1: C=1. So y=xsin−1a+1.
Step 6. (vi) (ydx−xdy)cot(yx)=ny2dx. Divide both sides by y2 and recognise d(yx)=y2ydx−xdy: cot(yx)d(yx)=ndx. Let w=yx: cotwdw=ndx. Integrate: ln∣sinw∣=nx+C1⟹sin(yx)=Cenx.
Step 7. (vii) dxdy=x25−x2. Already separated: dy=x25−x2dx. Let u=25−x2,du=−2xdx: ∫x25−x2dx=−31(25−x2)3/2+C. So y=−31(25−x2)3/2+C.
Step 8. (viii) xcosydy=ex(xlnx+1)dx. Separate: cosydy=ex(lnx+x1)dx. Recognise the right side as d[exlnx]=exlnx+xex: siny=exlnx+C. …