How to construct an exact but non separable differential equation? So I can prove that all separable differential equations are exact, and I can intuitively figure out that not all exact differential equations are necessarily separable, but I'm having a hard time constructing a counterexample? Is a differential equation still considered inseparable if you cannot initially separate it, but do so using an integrating factor? Sorry for asking rudimentary questions, I'm just starting to learn diff eq's. Thank you in advance.

limunom623

limunom623

Answered question

2022-11-02

How to construct an exact but non separable differential equation?
So I can prove that all separable differential equations are exact, and I can intuitively figure out that not all exact differential equations are necessarily separable, but I'm having a hard time constructing a counterexample?
Is a differential equation still considered inseparable if you cannot initially separate it, but do so using an integrating factor?
Sorry for asking rudimentary questions, I'm just starting to learn diff eq's.
Thank you in advance.

Answer & Explanation

Eynardfb0

Eynardfb0

Beginner2022-11-03Added 19 answers

The differential equation
2 x y d x + ( x 2 y 2 ) d y = 0
is clearly non-separable. Is it exact? Well it is in the form
M ( x , y ) d x + N ( x , y ) d y = 0
Let's check the mixed partial derivatives
M x = 2 x N y = 2 x
Hence it is exact.
Now, to solve, let's find a u=u(x,y) such that
d u = u x d x + u y d y = M ( x , y ) d x + N ( x , y ) d y
Since k is unknown, we use
u y = N ( x , y ) = x 2 y 2
to find that
x 2 + k ( y ) = x 2 y 2
giving
k ( y ) = y 3 3
So general solution is
x 2 y y 3 3 = c
odcizit49o

odcizit49o

Beginner2022-11-04Added 5 answers

For example, x + ( 2 x + t ) x = 0. It is exact but not separable.
Concerning your second question, we then say that the equation is reducible to exact.

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