# Integration using separation of variables

• March 31st 2013, 01:55 AM
mrmaaza123
Integration using separation of variables
Integrate the following integral using separation of variables :

vx = (1/3)v -(8/9) (vx is the partial derivative of v w.r.t x) and v is a function of two variables.

Can someone please show me the steps involved for separating the variables for this question ?

• March 31st 2013, 02:14 AM
Prove It
Re: Integration using separation of variables
How many variables is v a function of?
• March 31st 2013, 02:36 AM
mrmaaza123
Re: Integration using separation of variables
v is a function of two variables , x and y
• March 31st 2013, 05:11 AM
HallsofIvy
Re: Integration using separation of variables
Since y does not appear in the equation, treat as an equation in x only.
$\frac{dv}{dx}= \frac{1}{3}(v- \frac{8}{3})$
$\frac{dv}{v- \frac{8}{3}}= \frac{dx}{3}$
Integrating
$ln\left|v-\frac{8}{3}\right|= \frac{x}{3}+ f(y)$
where the "constant of integration" can be any function of y only.

We can solve that for $v(x, y)= \frac{8}{3}+ e^{x/3}F(y)$
where, since f(y) can be an arbitrary function of y, $F(y)= e^{f(y)}$ is also an arbitrary function of y.
• March 31st 2013, 05:36 AM
mrmaaza123
Re: Integration using separation of variables
But in my book the answer is v(x,y) = 8/3 +(1/3)e^x/3 F(y).
Where do you think that extra factor of 1/3 came from ? or is it incorrect ?