The differential equationsis separable We can write this equation asIntegrating both sides gives

where

Some first order differential equations are not separable. Often the most suitable way to solve it is the integrating factor method, which can be used to solve equations of the form

If we multiply both sides by the integrating factor,the equation becomeswe can write this as

Integrating givesand dividing bygivesThe constantcan be found to solve the initial differential equation if we have simultaneous values ofand(if we don't have these then we just incliude the integrating constant C – this is the feneral solution).

Example: Solve the differential equationif

so

Multiply by the integrating factor to givewhich we can write asWe can integrate this. Obtainingthen dividing bygives

whensothen the solution is