Bernoulli's Equation

y+P(x)y=Q(x)yn

Solving

  1. Change variables: v(x)=y1n,dvdx=(1n)yndydx
  2. Differentiate both sides wrt x where y=y(x), and simplify $$\frac{1}{1-n}\frac{dv}{dx} = \frac{1}{y^n}\frac{dy}{dx}$$
  3. Divide both sides of the original ODE by yn, simplify $$\frac{1}{y^n}\frac{dy}{dx} + P(x) y^{1-n} = Q(x)$$
  4. Substitute with change to v variable to obtain first order ODE
  5. Solve ODE for v(x)
  6. Substitute v=y1n to return to original variables y(x)