Bernoulli Equations

A differential equation of Bernoulli type is written as

This type of equation is solved via a substitution. Indeed, let calculations give

. Then easy

which implies

This is a linear equation satisfied by the new variable v. Once it is solved, you will obtain the function . Note that if n > 1, then we have to add the solution y=0 to the solutions found via the technique described above. Let us summarize the steps to follow: (1) Recognize that the differential equation is a Bernoulli equation. Then find the parameter n from the equation; (2) Write out the substitution (3) ;

Through easy differentiation, find the new equation satisfied by the new variable v. You may want to remember the form of the new equation:

(4) (5) Solve the new linear equation to find v;

(6) (7)

Go back to the old function y through the substitution If n > 1, add the solution y=0 to the ones you obtained in (4).

If you have an IVP, use the initial condition to find the particular solution. Example: Find all the solutions for

Solution: Perform the following steps: (1) (2) Consider the new function (3) The new equation satisfied by v is ;

We have a Bernoulli equation with n=3;

; (4) This is a linear equation: 4.1 the integrating factor is 4.2 we have 4.3 the general solution is given by

5 Back to the function y: we have , which gives

All solutions are of the form

Separable Equations

The differential equation of the form = h(x) g(y); that is,

is called separable, if f(x,y)

In order to solve it, perform the following steps: (1) (2)

Solve the equation g(y) = 0, which gives the constant solutions of (S); Rewrite the equation (S) as

, and, then, integrate

to obtain

(3) Write down all the solutions; the constant ones obtained from (1) and the ones given in (2); (4) If you are given an IVP, use the initial condition to find the particular solution. Note that it may happen that the particular solution is one of the constant solutions given in (1). This is why Step 3 is important.

Example: Find the particular solution of

Solution: Perform the following steps:

(1) In order to find the constant solutions, solve 1. (2) Rewrite the equation as . We obtain y = 1 and y=-

. Using the techniques of integration of rational functions, we get

, which implies

(3) The solutions to the given differential equation are

(4)

Since the constant solutions do not satisfy the initial condition, we are left to find the particular solution among the ones found in (2), that is we need to find the constant C. If we plug in the condition y=2 when x=1, we get

. Note that this solution is given in an implicit form. You may be asked to rewrite it in an explicit one. For example, in this case, we have