Differential Equations Workbook For Dummies®

12.2. Scoping Out Separable Equations

NOTE

Separable differential equations can be written so that all x terms appear on one side of the equal sign and all other terms appear on the opposite side. Here's an example:

This differential equation can be separated as

dy = x⁴ dx − x² dx

For additional help spotting and understanding separable differential equations, head to www.sosmath.com/diffeq/diffeq.html, find the First Order Differential Equations bullet, and click the Separable Equations link. Or if you're feeling up to it, head to Chapter 2 to start solving separable differential equations.