Give the general solution to the Ordinary Differential Equation: (dy/dx) + 2y/x = 3x+2

It can first be observed that this differential equation is linear, so we can solve it by multiplying the whole equation by the integrating factor. As there is no coefficient in front of the dy/dx term, we do not have to do anything to the equation before finding the integrating factor. The integrating factor is exp( integral (2/y) dx). From core maths we can solve this; the integral gives 2 ln (x). 2 ln (x) is equal to ln (x^2) using the rules of exponentials. exp ( ln(x^2) ) is x^2 and so the integrating factor is x^2.
We then multiply the equation by the integrating factor, x^2, to get x^2*(dy/dx) + 2xy = x^2(3x+2). We can recognise the left hand side as the product rule and so we can express the equation as: d(x^2y)/dx = 3x^3 + 2x^2. This is now separable and so we can use techniques learned from the maths a level to give: x^2y = 0.75x^4 + (2/3)x^3 + c, making sure to add the + c as it is the constant of integration. Dividing through by x^2 we get y = 0.75x^2 + 2x/3 + c/x^2. This is the general solution to the differential equation.

VG
Answered by Veer G. Further Mathematics tutor

5912 Views

See similar Further Mathematics A Level tutors

Related Further Mathematics A Level answers

All answers ▸

How do I draw any graph my looking at its equation?


A child weighing 50kg is pushed down a 2m long slide (u=0.1), angled at 45 degrees from the horizontal, at 5m/s. At what speed does the child reach the bottom of the slide?


When using the method of partial fractions how do you choose what type of numerator to use and how do you know how many partial fractions there are?


How to determine the modulus of a complex number?


We're here to help

contact us iconContact ustelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo

MyTutor is part of the IXL family of brands:

© 2026 by IXL Learning