Friday, April 17, 2009

`xy' = y` Find the general solution of the differential equation

An ordinary differential equation (ODE) has differential equation for a function with single variable. A first order ODE follows y' =f(x,y).


 The `y'` can be denoted as `(dy)/(dx) ` to be able to express in a variable separable differential equation: `N(y)dy= M(x)dx` .


To be able to follow this,  we let `y'=(dy)/(dx)` on the given first order ODE: `xy'=y` :


`xy' = y`


`x(dy)/(dx) = y`


Cross-multiply to rearrange it into:


`(dy)/y= (dx)/x` 


Applying direct integration on both sides:


`int (dy)/y= int (dx)/x`


Apply basic integration formula for logarithm: `int (du)/u = ln|u|+C` .


`ln|y|= ln|x|+C`


`y = e^(ln|x| + C)`


`   = Ce^ln|x|` since `e^C` is a constant


`y  = Cx`

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