Question Statement
Solve the differential equation:
( 1 − x ) d y + y − 1 d x = 0 ; y ( 0 ) = 2
Background and Explanation
This is a separable differential equation , where we can rearrange the equation to isolate all y terms on one side with d y and all x terms on the other side with d x . Once separated, we integrate both sides and use the initial condition to determine the constant of integration.
Solution
Starting with the given equation:
( 1 − x ) d y + y 1 d x = 0
Rearrange to isolate the differential terms:
( 1 − x ) d y = − y 1 d x
Multiply both sides by y and divide by ( 1 − x ) to separate variables:
y d y = 1 − x − 1 d x
Integrate the left side with respect to y and the right side with respect to x :
∫ y d y = ∫ 1 − x − 1 d x
Evaluating the integrals:
Left side: ∫ y d y = 2 y 2
Right side: ∫ 1 − x − 1 d x = ln ( 1 − x ) (since the derivative of ln ( 1 − x ) is 1 − x − 1 )
Thus:
2 y 2 = ln ( 1 − x ) + c
where c is the constant of integration.
Given y ( 0 ) = 2 , substitute x = 0 and y = 2 into equation (1):
2 ( 2 ) 2 = ln ( 1 − 0 ) + c
Simplify:
2 4 = ln ( 1 ) + c
2 = 0 + c
Therefore:
c = 2
Substitute c = 2 back into equation (1):
2 y 2 = ln ( 1 − x ) + 2
This can also be written as:
y 2 = 2 ln ( 1 − x ) + 4
or
y = 2 ln ( 1 − x ) + 4
(Note: We take the positive root since y ( 0 ) = 2 > 0 )
Separation of variables : Rearranging M ( x ) N ( y ) d x + P ( x ) Q ( y ) d y = 0 into the form f ( y ) d y = g ( x ) d x
Power rule for integration : ∫ y d y = 2 y 2
Logarithmic integration : ∫ 1 − x − 1 d x = ln ( 1 − x ) + C (valid for x < 1 )
Initial value condition : Substituting y ( x 0 ) = y 0 to solve for the constant of integration
Summary of Steps
Rearrange the equation to separate variables: y d y = 1 − x − 1 d x
Integrate both sides: 2 y 2 = ln ( 1 − x ) + c
Substitute the initial condition y ( 0 ) = 2 to find c = 2
Write the particular solution: 2 y 2 = ln ( 1 − x ) + 2