linear first‐order differential equation

where P and Q are given functions. One method of solution is to multiply both sides of the equation by an integrating factor μ(x), given by

This choice is made because then the left‐hand side of the equation becomes the derivative of μ(x)y, and the solution can be found by integration.

In the case where Q(x) = 0, this can also be treated as a separable‐variable first‐order differential equation.

• mean squared deviation
• mean squared error
• mean value
• mean value theorem
• mean value theorem
• measurable function
• measurable set
• measure
• measurement
• measure space
• measure theory
• measure zero set
• mechanical
• mechanical advantage
• mechanics
• median
• median
• median triangle
• median–median regression line
• mega‐
• member
• memoryless source
• Menelaus of Alexandria
• Menelaus' Theorem
• mensuration