Bernoulli’s Equation

𝑑𝑦 𝑛
+ 𝑃(𝑥)𝑦 = 𝑄(𝑥)𝑦
𝑑𝑥
The Bernoulli differential equation is the equation
𝑑𝑦
+ 𝑃 𝑥 𝑦 = 𝑄 𝑥 𝑦𝑛
𝑑𝑥
Where 𝑛 is a positive integer. Note that when 𝑛 = 1, the
differential equation is linear and can be solved by
separation of variables. Can you verify this statement?
Let us consider the case 𝑛 ≠ 1. Divide the equation by 𝑦 𝑛 to
get
𝑑𝑦
𝑦 −𝑛 + 𝑃𝑦1−𝑛 = 𝑄 (∗)
𝑑𝑥
Now, let us make the substitution 𝑧 = 𝑦1−𝑛 . Then
𝑑𝑧 𝑑𝑦
= 1 − 𝑛 𝑦 −𝑛
𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑥
−𝑛 𝑑𝑦 1 𝑑𝑧
Therefore, 𝑦 = . Substitution to Equation (*)
𝑑𝑥 1−𝑛 𝑑𝑥
gives
1 𝑑𝑧
+ 𝑃𝑧 = 𝑄
1 − 𝑛 𝑑𝑥
This equation can now be solved by the integrating factor
method, or by other methods appropriate.
 𝑑𝑦 𝑦 2 3
Example. Solve + =𝑥 𝑦 .
𝑑𝑥 𝑥
Solution. This is a Bernoulli differential equation with 𝑛 =
1 2 1−3
3, 𝑃 = , and 𝑄 = 𝑥 . The substitution 𝑧 = 𝑦 or 𝑧 =
𝑥
−2
𝑦 , according to our result, will transform the differential
equation to 1 𝑑𝑧 𝑧
+ = 𝑥2
1 − 3 𝑑𝑥 𝑥
𝑑𝑧 2 2
− 𝑧 = −2𝑥
𝑑𝑥 𝑥
This can be solved by the method of integrating factor and
−2
the solution is 𝑧 = −2𝑥 +𝑐𝑥 . Then we put back 𝑧 = 𝑦 .
3 2
 −2 3 2
𝑦 = −2𝑥 + 𝑐𝑥

1
𝑦2 = 2
𝑐𝑥 − 2𝑥 3

Exercises. Find the general solution of the following

Bernoulli equations.
7𝑥 4
1. 𝑥𝑦 ′ − 𝑦 = 𝑥 3 𝑦 5 Answer: 𝑦 4 =
𝑐−4𝑥 7
′ 𝑦2 𝑥
2. 𝑥𝑦 − 𝑦 = Answer: 𝑦 =
𝑥 𝑐−ln 𝑥
𝑥 5
′ −5 6 5
3. 𝑥𝑦 − 𝑦 = 𝑥 𝑦 Answer: 𝑦 =
𝑐−5 ln 𝑥