MATH 2A: ORDINARY DIFFERENTIAL EQUATIONS I

October 28, 2024 .

Lecturer: Odongo Benard

APPLICATION OF FIRST ORDER DIFFERENTIAL
EQUATIONS
We consider a number of application areas and how to formulate such
practical phenomena, hence their solution.
Growth and Decay
This problem occurs in various physical theories involving either growth or
decay. For instance, in biology, it is observed that the rate at which certain
bacteria grow is proportional to the number of bacteria present at any
time, other examples are economic growth, decay of radio-active elements
in physics, growth of population e.t.c.
In many applications, the rate of change of a variable say y is proportional
to the value of y , when y is a function of time t, this can be expressed as
dy
∝ y = ky
dt
where k is the proportionality constant. The general solution of this
differential equation is provided in the next theorem.
Theorem:
If y is a differentiable function of t such that y > 0 and y 0 = ky for some
constant k, then y = Ae kt
Proof:
Given dydt = ky , then by separation of variables, we have

dy
= kdt
y
Integrating both sides yields;
Z Z
dy
= kdt
y
⇒ ln y = kt + c
∴ y = Ae kt
where A is the initial value of y and k is the proportionality constant.
Therefore, exponential growth occurs when k > 0 and exponential decay
occurs when k < 0.
Example 1
Given that the rate of change of y is proportional to y . Then when
t = 0, y = 2 and when t = 2, y = 4. What is the value of y when t = 3?
Solution
Since y 0 = ky , we know that y and t are related by the equation
y = Ae kt . The value of the constants A and k can then be found by
applying the initial conditions. Now, when t = 0, y = 2, we have

y = Ae kt ⇒2=A

and when t = 2, y = 4, implying that

4 = 2e 2k ⇒ 2 = e 2k
1
ln 2 = 2k ⇒k = ln 2 ≈ 0.3466
2
so that the model becomes

y = 2e 0.3466t

Therefore, when t = 3, the value of y becomes 2e 0.3466(3) ≈ 5.657

Example 2
An experimental population of fruit flies increases according to the law of
exponential growth. There were 100 flies after the second day of the
experiment and 300 flies after the fourth day. Approximately how many
flies were in the original population?
Solution
Let y = Ae kt be number of flies at time t, where t is measured in days.
Note that y is continuous, whereas the number of flies is discrete. Thus,
y = 100 when t = 2 and y = 300 when t = 4, therefore, from
y = Ae kt ⇒ 100 = Ae 2k and 300 = Ae 4k
From
100 = Ae 2k ⇒ A = 100e −2k
Substituting A in the second equation, gives
 
300 = 100e −2k e 4k ⇒ 3 = e 2k

1
∴ ln 3 = 2k ⇒k = ln 3 ≈ 0.5493
2
The exponential growth model then becomes;

y = Ae 0.5493t

To solve for A, we reapply the conditions y = 100 when t = 2 to obtain

100 = Ae 0.5493(2) , ∴ A = 100e −0.5493(2) = 100e −1.0986 ⇒ A ≈ 33

And so the original population (when t = 0) consisted of approximately

y = A = 33 flies.
Example 3
A culture initially has N0 number of bacteria. At time t = 1 hr, the
3


number of bacteria is measured to be 2 N0 . If the rate of growth is
proportional to the number of bacteria present, determine the time
necessary for the number of bacteria to triple.
Solution
Let the number of bacteria present at any time t be N, then
dN dN
∝N ⇒ = kN, k > 0
dt dt
subject to N(0) = N0 , separating variables and integrating we get:
Z Z
dN
= kdt ⇒ ln N = kt
N
giving
N(t) = Ae kt
Now at
t = 0, N = N0 , ⇒ A = N0
∴ N(t) = N0 e kt
And at t = 1, we have
3 3
N0 = N0 e k ⇒ ek =
2 2
 
3
⇒ k = ln ⇒ k ≈ 0.4055
2
Thus the general solution is

N(t) = N0 e 0.4055t

To find the time at which the bacteria have tripled, we solve t =? when
N = 3N0
⇒ 3N0 = N0 e 0.4055t ⇒ 3 = e 0.4055t
ln 3
⇒ ln 3 = ln e 0.4055t = 0.4055t ⇒t= ≈ 2.71hrs
0.4055
Assignment 5a
(i) Suppose a student carrying a flu virus returns to an isolated college
campus of 1000 students. If it is assumed that the rate at which the
virus spreads is proportional not only to the number x of infected
students but also the number of students not infected, determine the
number of infected students after 6 days if it is further observed that
after 4 days x(4) = 50.
(ii) The rate of change of the number of coyotes N(t) in a population is
directly proportional to 650 − N(t) where t is the time in years.
When t = 0, the population is 300, and when t = 2, the population
has increased to 500. Find the population when t = 3.
Radioactive Decay

Radioactive decay is measured in terms of half-life. In physics the half-life

is a measure of the stability of a radioactive substance. The half-life is
simply the time it takes for one-half of the atoms in an initial amount to
disintegrate or transmute, into the atoms of another element(the time
required for the half of the original quantity of the radioactive substance to
decay).
The longer the half-life of a substance, the more stable it is. For example,
the half-life of highly radioactive radium, Ra − 226, is about 1700 years. In
1700 years one-half of a given quantity of Ra − 226 is transmuted into
Radon, Rn − 222. The most commonly occurring Uranium isotope,
U − 238, has a half-life of approximately 4, 500, 000, 000 years. In about
4.5 billion years, one-half of a quantity of U − 238 is transmuted into
Lead, Pb − 206.
Rutherford showed that the radio-active decay of a substance is directly
proportional to the number atoms (amount) present. Thus if x(t) denotes
the number of atoms present at time t, then dx dt is the number of atoms
that disintegrate per unit time and is proportional to x. Therefore,
dx dx
− ∝ x, ⇒ = −kx
dt dt
where k is known as the decay constant k > 0, solving this equation, we
get;
dx dx
= −kx ⇒ = −kdt
dt x
Integrating, we have
Z Z
dx
= −k dt ⇒ ln x = −kt + c
x

⇒ x(t) = e −kt+c
⇒ x(t) = Ae −kt
A and k can be obtained from the initial conditions provided.
Example 3
Ten grams of the Plutonium Isotope 239 Pu were released in a nuclear
accident. How long will it take for the 10 grams to decay to 1 gram?
Solution
Let y represent the mass (in grams) of the Plutonium. Since the rate of
decay is proportional to y , we have
y = ce kt
where t is the time in years. To find the values of the constants c and
k,we apply the initial conditions. Using the fact that y = 10 when t = 0,
⇒ 10 = ce 0k ∴ c = 10
Next using the fact that the half-life of 239 Pu is 24, 100 years, we get;
y = 10
5 = 5 when t = 24, 100 so that
1
5 = 10e (24100)k = e (24100)k
2
1 1
⇒k = ln ≈ −0.000028761
24100 2
And the model becomes;

y = 10e −0.000028761t

To find the time it would take for 10 grams to decay to 1 gram, we solve
for t in the equation y = 1 to get;
1
1 = 10e −0.000028761t ⇒ = e −0.000028761t
10
ln 0.1
ln 0.1 = −0.000028761t ⇒t= ≈ 80, 059 years
−0.000028761
Assignment 5b
(i) The rate of decay of a radioactive material is proportional to the
amount present. The half-life of the material is 10 years. How long
does it take for 90% of the material to disintegrate?
(ii) The half-life of Rossidium312 is 4, 801 years. How long will it take for
a mass of Rossidium312 to decay to 98% of its original size?
Newton’s law of cooling
It states that the rate at which the temperature T (t) changes in a cooling
body is proportional to the difference between the temperature of the
body T (t) and that of the constant temperature T0 of the surrounding
medium. i.e.
dT dT
− ∝ (T − T0 ), ⇒ = −k(T − T0 )
dt dt
Separating variables and integrating yields;
Z Z
dT
= −k dt
T − T0
Using substitution technique, let u = T − T0 , ⇒ du = dT to arrive at
Z Z Z
dT du
= −k dt ⇒ = −kt + c
T − T0 u
∴ ln u = −kt + c ⇒ u = e −kt+c ⇒ T − T0 = e −kt+c
giving
T = T0 + Ae −kt
Example 1
Let T represent the temperature (in 0 F ) of an object in a room whose
temperature kept at a constant of 600 . The object cools from 1000 to 900
in 10 minutes. How much longer will it take for the temperature of the
object to decrease to 800 ?
Solution
From Newton’s law of cooling, the rate of change in T is proportional to
the difference between T and T0 = 600 . This can be written as
dT
= T 0 = k(T − 600 ), 800 ≤ T ≤ 1000
dt
To solve this differential equation, we use separation of variables as below;
dT dT
= T 0 = k(T − 600 ) ⇒ = kdt
dt T − 600
Integrating
Z Z
dT
⇒ =k dt ⇒ ln T − 600 = kt + c1
T − 600
by substitution method, but since
 y > 60, ⇒ T − 600 = T − 600
By exponential notation, we have;
T − 600 = e kt+c1 ⇒ T = 60 + Ae kt ; A = e c1
Imposing initial conditions T = 100 when t = 0 we get;
100 = 60 + Ae k(0) = 60 + A, ⇒ A = 40
And T = 90 when t = 10, to get;
90 = 60 + 40e k(10) ⇒ 30 = 40e 10k
1 3
∴k = ln ≈ −0.02877
10 4
Resulting in the model as
T = 60 + 40e −0.02877t
Thus, we solve for t =? when T = 80
80 = 60 + 40e −0.02877t ⇒ 20 = 40e −0.02877t
1 1
⇒ = e −0.02877t ⇒ ln = −0.02877t ∴ t ≈ 24.09 minutes
2 2
Example 2
When a cake is removed from a baking oven its temperature is 3000 F .
Three minutes later its temperature is 2000 F . How long will it take to cool
to 1000 F if the room temperature is 700 F .
Solution
We know that T = T0 + Ae −kt , now at t = 0, T = 300, T0 = 70

∴ 300 = 70 + A, ⇒ A = 2300 F

The model equation then becomes

T = 70 + 230e −kt

Also at t = 3, T = 200;

⇒ 200 = 70 + 230e −3k ⇒ 130 = 230e −3k

ln 0.5652
⇒ −3k = ln(0.5652) ⇒k =− ≈ 0.1902
3
Thus, T = 70 + 230e −0.1902t
Finally, when T = 100, we solve;

100 = 70 + 230e −0.1902t

⇒ 30 = 230e −0.1902t
3 3
∴ = e −0.1902t ⇒ ln = −0.1902t
23 23
⇒ ln 0.1304 = −0.1902t
ln 0.1304
∴t= ≈ 10.71minutes
−0.1902
Assignment 5c

(a) A thermometer is taken from an inside room to the outside where the
air temperature is 50 F , after 1 minute the thermometer reads 550 F
and after 5 minutes the reading is 300 F . What is the initial
temperature of the room?
(b) A body at a temperature of 500 F is placed out doors where the
temperature is 1000 F . If after 5 minutes the temperature of the body
is 600 F , find
(i) how long it will take the body to reach a temperature of 750 F
(ii) the temperature of the body after 20 minutes. [7mks]
(c) According to Newton’s Law of Cooling, if a hot object is immersed
into a cool environment, the rate of decrease of the temperature of
the object is proportional to the difference in the temperature of the
object and its environment. If then h(t) is the temperature of the
object at time t, and T0 is the temperature of the environment.
Newton’s law says
dh
= −k(h(t) − T0 )
dt
where k is the coefficient of cooling. Suppose that a body at 950 Celsius is
immersed in a water bath held at 50 Celsius, and the coefficient of cooling
is k = 0.08. What will be the temperature of the body in 10 minutes?
Electric circuits
A simple electric circuit consists of an electric current I (in Amperes), a
resistance R (in Ohms), an inductance L (in Henrys) and a constant
electromotive force E (in Volts) as shown below
figure
Experiments show that the voltage
di
a. drop across the inductor is L dr
b. drop across the resistor is iRR
c. drop across the capacitor is i(t) Q(t)
c dt = c , where Q(t) is the charge
and dQ(t)
dt = i
According to Kirchoff’s second law of voltage, if the switch S is closed
when t = 0, then the applied electromotive force (voltage) is equal to the
sum of the voltage drop in the rest of the circuit. This, in turn means that
the current I satisfies the differential equation
di Q(t)
L + iR + = E (t) (1)
dt C
If no condenser is present in the circuit, then C = ∞ and (1) reduces to :

di
L + iR = E (t) (2)
dt
Example 1
A 12 volt-battery is connected to a simple series circuit in which the
inductance is 12 henry, R = 10 Ohms. Determine the current i if the initial
current is zero.
Solution
We solve the IVP, but we know that
di
L + iR = E (t)
dt
1 di
∴ + 10i = 12, i(0) = 0
2 dt
Expressing it in standard form, we have;
di
⇒ + 20i = 24, p = 20, Q = 24
dt
which is linear first order ODE, thus we compute integrating factor as
R R
pdt 20dt
I .F = u = e =e = e 20t
Solution then becomes Z
ui = Qudt + c
Z
∴ ie 20t = 24 e 20t dt

24 20t
e 20t i = e +c
20
6
⇒ i(t) = + ce −20t
5
Imposing initial conditions, when t = 0, i(0) = 0,

6 6
0= +c ⇒c =−
5 5
6
1 − e −20t

∴ i(t) =
5
Example 2
Find the current I s a function of time t (in sec), given that I satisfies the
differential equation
dI
L + RI = sin 2t
dt
where R and L are nonzero constants.
Solution
We express the given equation in standard form as
dI R 1
+ I = sin 2t
dt L L
R
Then let p(t) = L, so that the integrating factor (I.F) becomes;
R R
= e ( L )dt = e ( L )t
R R
pdt
u = I .F = e

Thus, solution is given by

Z
uI = Qudt + c
 Z
R 1 R
⇒ Ie ( L )t = e ( L )t sin 2tdt + c
L
R 1 R
⇒ Ie ( L )t = e ( L )t (R sin 2t − 2L cos 2t) + c
4L2 +R 2

So the general solution becomes

 
−( RL )t 1 ( R
) t
I (t) = e e L (R sin 2t − 2L cos 2t) + c
4L2 + R 2

1 R
∴ I (t) = [(R sin 2t − 2L cos 2t)] + ce −( L )t
4L2 + R 2
Assignment 5d
(a) A series circuit contains only a capacitor and inductor. If the capacitor
has an initial charge q0 , determine the subsequent charge q(t)
(b) An RC circuit has emf given (in volts) by 400 cos 2t, a resistance of
100 Ohms and a capacitance of 10−2 Farad. Initially there is no
charge on the capacitor. Find the current in the circuit at any time t.
Mixing Problems

One type of problem that can be described in terms of a differential

equation involves chemical mixtures, where a solution containing a fixed
concentration of substance x flows into a tank containing the substance x
and possibly other substances at a specified rate. The mixture is stirred
together very rapidly and then leaves the tank again at a specified rate.
We then find the concentration of the substance x in the tank at any time
t. This method of solution is demonstrated in the following example.
Example 1
A tank contains 50 gallons of a solution composed of 90% water and 10%
alcohol. A second solution containing 50% water and 50% alcohol is
added to the tank at the rate of 4 gallons per minute. As the second
solution is being added, the tank is being drained at a rate of 5 gallons per
minute. The solution in the tank is stirred constantly, how much alcohol is
in the tank after 10 minutes?
Solution
Let y (t) be the number of gallons of alcohol in the tank at any time t.
We know that y = 5 when t = 0. Because the number of gallons of
solution in the tank at any time is (50 −
 t), and
 the tank loses 5 gallons of
5
solution per minute, it must then lose 50−t y gallons of alcohol per
minute. Furthermore, since the tank is gaining 2 gallons of alcohol per
minute, the rate of change of alcohol in the tank is;
  
dy 5
=2− y
dt 50 − t
 
dy 5
⇒ + y =2
dt 50 − t
To solve this linear differential equation, let
Z Z
5 5
p(t) = ⇒ pdt = dt
50 − t 50 − t
By substitution, let u = 50 − t, du = −dt ⇒ dt = −du, to get
Z Z
5 du
dt = −5 = −5 ln u = −5 ln |50 − t|
50 − t u
Because t < 50, we drop the absolute value sign and conclude that
R −5 1
u = I .F = e pdt
= e −5 ln(50−t) = e ln(50−t) =
(50 − t)5
And the general solution becomes
Z
uy = Qudt + c
Z
y 2
⇒ 5
= dt + c
(50 − t) (50 − t)5
Z
y
⇒ 5
= 2 (50 − t)−5 dt + c
(50 − t)
y (50 − t)−4
⇒ =2 (−1) + c
(50 − t)5 −4
y 1
⇒ 5
= +c
(50 − t) 2 (50 − t)4
50 − t
∴y = + c(50 − t)5
2
Applying the conditions y = 5 when t = 0, we get;
50 −20
5= + c(50)5 ⇒ =c
2 (50)5

which means that the particular solution is

 5
50 − t 50 − t
y (t) = − 20
2 50

Finally, when t = 10, the amount of alcohol in the tank then becomes
 5  5
50 − 10 50 − 10 4
y (10) = − 20 = 20 − ≈ 13.45 gal
2 50 5

which represents a solution containing 33.6% alcohol.

Assignment 5e
Initially 50 pounds of salt is dissolved in a large tank holding 300 gallons of
water. A brine solution is pumped into the tank at a rate of 3 gal/min and
a well stirred solution is then pumped out at the same rate. If the
concentration of the solution entering is 2 pounds/gallon, determine the
amount of salt in the tank at any time. How much salt is present after
50min?, after a long time?