A differential equation of first order and first degree invokes x,y and So it can be put in any one of the following forms :
where f(x,y) and g(x,y) are obviously the function of x,y
Geometrical Interpretation of the differential equations of first order and first degree
The general form of a first order and first degree differential equation is
We know that the tangent of the direction of a curve in Cartesian rectangular coordinates at any point given by  so the equation in (i) cann be known as an equation which establishes the relationship between the coordinates of a point and the slope of the tangent i.e.,Â
to the integral curve at that point.
Solving the differential equation given by (i) means finding those curves for which the direction of tangent at each point coincides with the direction of the field. All the curves represented by the general solution when taken together will give locus of the differential equation. Since there is one arbitrary constant in the general solution of the equation of first order, the locus of the equation can be said to be made up of single infinity of curves.
Solution of First order and first degree differential equation
As discussed earlier a first order and first degree differential equation can written as
where f(x,y) and g(x,y) are obviously the functions of x and y.
It is not always possible to solve this type of equations. This solution of this type of differential equations. The solution of some standard forms and methods of obtaining their solutions.
Methods of solving a first order first degree differential equation
In this section we shall discuss several techniques of obtaining solutions of various types of differential equations.
Type IÂ Differential equations of the type
To solve this type of differential equations we integrate both sides to obtain the general solution as discussed below:
Integrating both sides, we obtain
Example
SolveÂ
Solution:
Integrating both sides, we get
This is the required solution.
Type IIÂ Â Differential equations of the type
To solve this type of differential equations we integrate both sides to obtain the general solution as discussed under:
Integrating both sides, we obtain
Example
Solve
Solution:
Integrating both sides we obtain
This is the required solution.
Type IIIÂ Equation in variable separable form
If the differential equation can be put in the form f(x) dx=g(y) dy we say that the variable separable and such equation can be solved by integrating on both sides the equation is given by
where C is an arbitrary constant.
There is no need of introducing arbitrary constants on both sides as they can be combined together to give just one arbitrary constant.
Example
Solve
Solution:
Integrating both sides, we get
which is the required solution.
Type IVÂ Equation reducible to variable separable form
Differential equations of the form can be reduced to variable separable form by the substitution ax+by+c=v
Example
Solve
Solution:
Given thatÂ
Put 4x+y+1=v, so thatÂ
So, the given equation becomes
Integrating both sides, we get
which is the required solution
Type V  Homogeneous Differential Equation
A function f(x,y) is called a homogeneous function of degree n ifÂ
For example is a homogeneous function degree 2 becauseÂ
A homogeneous function f(x,y) of degree n can always be written as
If a first order first degree differential equation is expressible in the form
Such type of equations can be reduced to variable separable form by the substitution y=vx as explained below:
The differential equation can be written as
If y=vx ,then Substituting these x values inÂ
we get,
On integrationÂ
Where C is an arbitrary constant of integration.
After integration v will be replaced by v/x to get the complete solution.
Algorithm for solving homogeneous differential equationÂ
Step I Put the differential equation in the formÂ
Step II Put y=vx and in the equation in Step I and cancel out x from the right hand side. The equation reduces to formÂ
Step III Shift v on RHS and separate the variables v and x.
Step IV Integrate both sides to obtain the solution in terms of v and x.
Step V Replace v by in the solution obtained in Step IV to obtain the solution in terms of x and y
Example
Solve the differential equation given that y=1 when x=1
Solution:
The given differential equation is
Since each of the functions is a homogeneous function of degree 2 therefore equation (i) is a homogeneous equation.
Putting y=vx and in (i) we get
Integrating both sides we get
It is given that y=1, when x=1. Putting x=1 y=1 in eq (ii) we get
Putting in (ii), we get Â
This is the required equation.