2.

5
SOLUTIONS BY SUBSTITUTIONS

Homogeneous Equation

Bernoulli Equation

Equation of the form

dy
= f ( Ax + By + C )
dx
1
 Homogeneous Function

If a function possesses the property
f (tx , ty ) = t α f ( x, y )
for some real number α , then f is said to
be a homogeneous function of degree α .

Note: Homogeneous functions can also be

recognized by looking at the total degree of
each term.
2
 Homogeneous Equation

Definition:
A first order DE :

M ( x, y )dx + N ( x, y )dy = 0

is said to be homogeneous if both

coefficients M and N are homogeneous
functions of the same degree.
3

Alternative definition:

If the right side of the equation

dy
= f ( x, y )
dx
y
can be expressed as a function of the ratio
x
x
or only, then the equation is said to be
y
homogeneous.
4
 Method of solution.
solution.

Use substitution, either y = ux or x = vy,
where u and v are new dependent variables.

By doing so, the equation will be reduced to a
separable first order DE.

Try y = ux whenever N ( x , y ) is simpler than
M ( x, y )

Try x = vy whenever M ( x, y ) is simpler than
N ( x, y )

5
 Bernoulli Equation

Bernoulli equation is of the form:

Note: The equation is linear if n = 0 or n = 1

1− n
If n ≠ 0 or n ≠ 1 , use substitution u = y ,
which then reduces the equation to a linear
equation.
6
 Differential Equation of the form

A differential equation of the above form

can be solved by means of the substitution

u = Ax + By + C , B ≠ 0.
By doing so, the equation will be reduced to
a separable equation.
Reference: A First Course in Differential Equations with Modelling Applications (9th Ed)
Dennis G. Zill, Brooks/Cole Publishing Company