Cagayan State University–Carig Campus

COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING
DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING

LECTURE MODULE 2
DIFFERENTIAL EQUATIONS: CHAPTER 1

TOPIC 2
ELIMINATION OF ARBITRARY CONSTANTS
From the previous topic, we were able to define what a differential equation is. Also, we have learned and
classified differential equations according to their type, order, degree and linearity. For this next topic, we are going
to perform a method in order to obtain a differential equation. This is done by eliminating arbitrary constants.

This topic requires knowledge on derivatives and certain algebraic processes. It is therefore needed that the
students are able to understand and master all differentiation techniques from Calculus 1.

At the end of this lesson, the student will be able to:

1. examine the order of a differential equation by the number of constants;

2. perform elimination of arbitrary constants.

1.1 Why do we eliminate arbitrary constants?

One way of obtaining a differential equation is through the process known as elimination of arbitrary constant/s.
To determine the correct differential equation, the following properties must be satisfied:

1. The order of the differential equation must be equal to the number of arbitrary constant/s in the given
equation.
2. Differentiation must be consistent with the given relation.
3. The differential equation must be free from any arbitrary constant.

1.2 How to eliminate arbitrary constants?

The following are the steps to perform the elimination of arbitrary constant/s:

1. Determine the number of arbitrary constant/s, 𝒏.

2. Differentiate the given equation 𝒏 times.
3. Eliminate the arbitrary constant/s either by method of elimination or substitution using all the equations
that resulted.

Example 1:

Eliminate the arbitrary constant on 𝑦 2 = 4𝑎𝑥.

Solution 1: (Substitution/Elimination)

𝑦 2 = 4𝑎𝑥 ✓ The first step is to determine the number of arbitrary constant/s

in the equation. There is only one constant represented by 𝒂.
Therefore, 𝒏 = 𝟏.
𝑑𝑦
2𝑦 𝑑𝑥 = 4𝑎 ✓ Since we are able to determine that 𝒏 = 𝟏, differentiate the
equation once with respect to 𝑥.
𝑑𝑦
2𝑦 𝑑𝑥 = 4𝑎 ✓ Solve for the value of constant 𝒂.
2𝑦 𝑑𝑦
4 𝑑𝑥
=𝑎

𝑦 𝑑𝑦
𝑎 = 2 𝑑𝑥

ENGR. ARISTON C. TALOSIG 1 | Page

Cagayan State University–Carig Campus
COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING
DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING

LECTURE MODULE 2
DIFFERENTIAL EQUATIONS: CHAPTER 1

𝑦 2 = 4𝑎𝑥 ✓ Using the method of substitution, replace the value of 𝒂 on the

𝑦2 = 4 (
𝑦 𝑑𝑦
)𝑥 original equation to eliminate.
2 𝑑𝑥
𝑦 2 = 2𝑦𝑦 ′ 𝑥
𝑦 = 2𝑦′𝑥
𝟐𝒙𝒚′ − 𝒚 = 𝟎 ✓ Rearrange and simplify the equation to linear form.

Solution 2: (Direct Elimination)

This process is applicable if the constant/s can be isolated to a single side of equation before deriving. Why? The
derivative of a constant is zero. Therefore, an isolated constant is actually easier to eliminate from the equation.

𝑦 2 = 4𝑎𝑥 ✓ The first step is to determine the number of arbitrary constant/s

in the equation. There is only one constant represented by 𝒂.
Therefore, 𝒏 = 𝟏.
𝑦 2 = 4𝑎𝑥 ✓ Analyze the equation. The constant 𝒂 can be isolated on a single
𝑦2
=𝑎 side of the equation. Let us isolate 𝒂 on the right side.
4𝑥

𝑦2
=𝑎 ✓ Differentiate the equation once (𝒏 = 𝟏) with respect to 𝑥.
4𝑥
(4𝑥)(2𝑦𝑦 )−𝑦 2 (4)
′

(4𝑥)2
=0

(4𝑥)(2𝑦𝑦 ′ )−𝑦 2 (4)

=0 ✓ Simplify the differential equation.
(4𝑥)2
(4𝑥)(2𝑦𝑦 ′ )− 𝑦 2 (4) = 0
(𝑥)(2𝑦𝑦 ′ )− 𝑦2 = 0
′
(𝑥)(2𝑦 ) − 𝑦 = 0
𝟐𝒙𝒚′ − 𝒚 = 𝟎

Example 2:

Eliminate the arbitrary constant on (𝑥 − ℎ)2 = ℎ2 − 𝑦 2 .

Solution:

There is only one arbitrary constant on this equation; that is 𝒉. Therefore 𝒏 = 𝟏. Although, the student may think
that there are three constants in this equation (ℎ, ℎ2 ). That is not true.

Differentiate the equation once (𝒏 = 𝟏) with respect to 𝑥:

(𝑥 − ℎ)2 = ℎ2 − 𝑦 2
2(𝑥 − ℎ)(1) = 0 − 2𝑦𝑦′
2(𝑥 − ℎ) = −2𝑦𝑦′
𝑥 − ℎ = −𝑦𝑦′
ℎ = 𝑥 + 𝑦𝑦′

Substitute to the original function:

[𝑥 − (𝑥 + 𝑦𝑦 ′ )]2 = (𝑥 + 𝑦𝑦 ′ )2 − 𝑦 2
𝑥 2 − 2𝑥(𝑥 + 𝑦𝑦 ′ ) + (𝑥 + 𝑦𝑦 ′ )2 = (𝑥 + 𝑦𝑦 ′ )2 − 𝑦 2
𝑥 2 − 2𝑥 2 − 2𝑥𝑦𝑦′ = −𝑦 2
𝒙𝟐 + 𝟐𝒙𝒚𝒚′ − 𝒚𝟐 = 𝟎

ENGR. ARISTON C. TALOSIG 2 | Page

Cagayan State University–Carig Campus
COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING
DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING

LECTURE MODULE 2
DIFFERENTIAL EQUATIONS: CHAPTER 1

Example 3:

Obtain the differential equation from the relation 𝑦 = 𝐴𝑒 −2𝑥 + 𝐵𝑒 3𝑥 .

Solution:

Since there are two arbitrary constants, 𝑨 and 𝑩, 𝒏 = 𝟐. We should solve for the first and second derivatives of 𝑦
with respect to 𝑥 to eliminate both constants.

𝑦 = 𝐴𝑒 −2𝑥 + 𝐵𝑒 3𝑥

Obtain first derivative:

𝑦 = 𝐴𝑒 −2𝑥 + 𝐵𝑒 3𝑥
𝑦 = 𝐴(−2𝑒 −2𝑥 ) + 𝐵(3𝑒 3𝑥 )
′

𝑦 ′ = −2𝐴𝑒 −2𝑥 + 3𝐵𝑒 3𝑥

Obtain second derivative:

𝑦 ′ = −2𝐴𝑒 −2𝑥 + 3𝐵𝑒 3𝑥

𝑦 ′′ = −2𝐴(−2𝑒 −2𝑥 ) + 3𝐵(3𝑒 3𝑥 )
𝑦 ′′ = 4𝐴𝑒 −2𝑥 + 9𝐵𝑒 3𝑥

The following equations were derived including the original equation:

𝑦 = 𝐴𝑒 −2𝑥 + 𝐵𝑒 3𝑥 ✓ Equation 1
𝑦 = −2𝐴𝑒 −2𝑥 + 3𝐵𝑒 3𝑥
′ ✓ Equation 2
𝑦 ′′ = 4𝐴𝑒 −2𝑥 + 9𝐵𝑒 3𝑥 ✓ Equation 2

We can eliminate A in equations 1 and 2 by multiplying 2 to equation 1 and adding the resulting equation to 2.

𝑦 = 𝐴𝑒 −2𝑥 + 𝐵𝑒 3𝑥 2(𝑦 = 𝐴𝑒 −2𝑥 + 𝐵𝑒 3𝑥 ) 2𝑦 = 2𝐴𝑒 −2𝑥 + 2𝐵𝑒 3𝑥

𝑦 ′ = −2𝐴𝑒 −2𝑥 + 3𝐵𝑒 3𝑥 𝑦 ′ = −2𝐴𝑒 −2𝑥 + 3𝐵𝑒 3𝑥 + 𝑦 ′ = −2𝐴𝑒 −2𝑥 + 3𝐵𝑒 3𝑥
2𝑦 + 𝑦′ = 5𝐵𝑒 3𝑥

Express the constant in terms of the variables: 2𝑦 + 𝑦 ′ = 5𝐵𝑒 3𝑥

2𝑦 + 𝑦′
𝐵=
5𝑒 3𝑥

We can eliminate A in equations 2 and 3 by multiplying 2 to equation 2 and adding the resulting equation to 3.

𝑦 ′ = −2𝐴𝑒 −2𝑥 + 3𝐵𝑒 3𝑥 2(𝑦 ′ = −2𝐴𝑒 −2𝑥 + 3𝐵𝑒 3𝑥 ) 2𝑦 ′ = −4𝐴𝑒 −2𝑥 + 6𝐵𝑒 3𝑥
𝑦 ′′ = 4𝐴𝑒 −2𝑥 + 9𝐵𝑒 3𝑥 𝑦 ′′ = 4𝐴𝑒 −2𝑥 + 9𝐵𝑒 3𝑥 + 𝑦 ′′ = 4𝐴𝑒 −2𝑥 + 9𝐵𝑒 3𝑥
2𝑦′ + 𝑦′′ = 15𝐵𝑒 3𝑥

Express the constant in terms of the variables: 2𝑦′ + 𝑦′′ = 15𝐵𝑒 3𝑥

2𝑦′ + 𝑦′′
𝐵=
15𝑒 3𝑥

Equate 𝐵 = 𝐵: 2𝑦 + 𝑦′ 2𝑦′ + 𝑦′′

=
5𝑒 3𝑥 15𝑒 3𝑥
3(2𝑦 + 𝑦 ′ ) = 2𝑦 ′ + 𝑦′′
6𝑦 + 3𝑦 ′ = 2𝑦 ′ + 𝑦′′
𝒚′′ − 𝒚′ − 𝟔𝒚 = 𝟎
Note: The student is encouraged to try method of substitution for this example.

ENGR. ARISTON C. TALOSIG 3 | Page

Cagayan State University–Carig Campus
COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING
DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING

LECTURE MODULE 2
DIFFERENTIAL EQUATIONS: CHAPTER 1

Eliminate the arbitrary constant/s to obtain the differential equation. The answers are provided for you to check.

1. 𝑦 = 𝑥 2 + 𝑥 + 𝐶 Ans. 𝑦′ = 2𝑥 + 1
2. 𝑦 = 𝐴𝑥 + 𝐵𝑥 + 𝐶
2 Ans. 𝑦 ′′′ = 0
3. 2𝑥 2 𝑦 2 = 𝐶1 Ans. 𝑥𝑦 ′ + 𝑦 = 0
4. 𝑦 = (𝑥 + 𝐶)𝑒 −𝑥 Ans. 𝑦 ′ + 𝑦 = 𝑒 −𝑥

1. What is the most important thing you learned? Why do you think so?
2. What surprised you on the things you learned on this topic?
3. What could be the hardest process regarding this topic?

Canva. (n.d.). Retrieved from Canva: www.canva.com

Zill, D. G., & Wright, W. S. (2013). Succeeding with Differential Equations (8th Edition). Cengage Learning.

ENGR. ARISTON C. TALOSIG 4 | Page