Solutions for Chapter 11 1

The Chemistry Maths Book

Erich Steiner

University of Exeter

Second Edition 2008

Solutions

Chapter 11 First-order differential equations

11.1 Concepts
11.2 Solution of a differential equation
11.3 Separable equations
11.4 Separable equations in chemical kinetics
11.5 First-order linear equations
11.6 An example of linear equations in chemical kinetics
11.7 Electric circuits

E Steiner 2008
Solutions for Chapter 11 2

Section 11.2

State the order of the differential equation and verify that the given function is a solution:

dy
1. 2 y = 2; y = e2 x 1
dx
First order.
dy
y = e2 x 1 = 2e 2 x
dx

dy
Therefore 2 y = 2e 2 x 2( e2 x 1) = 2
dx

d2y
2. + 4 y = 0; y = A cos 2 x + B sin 2 x
dx 2
Second order.
dy
y = A cos 2 x + B sin 2 x = 2 A sin 2 x + 2 B cos 2 x
dx
d 2y
= 4 A cos 2 x 4 B sin 2 x = 4 y
dx 2

d2y
Therefore + 4y = 0
dx 2

d3y
3. = 12; y = 2 x3 + 3 x 2 + 4 x + 5
dx3
Third order.
dy
y = 2 x3 + 3 x 2 + 4 x + 5 = 6x2 + 6 x + 4
dx
d 2y
= 12 x + 6
dx 2

d3y
Therefore = 12
dx3

dy 3 y x3 c
4. + = 3x 2 ; y= +
dx x 2 x3
First order

x3 c dy 3 x 2 3c
y= + 3 = 4
2 x dx 2 x

dy 3 y 3x 2 3c 3 x3 c 3x2 3c 3 x 2 3c
Therefore + = 4 + + 3 = 4 + + 4
dx x 2 x x 2 x 2 x 2 x

= 3x 2

E Steiner 2008
Solutions for Chapter 11 3

Find the general solution of the differential equation:

dy
5. = x2
dx

dy 1 3
Integrate: dx = x 2 dx y = x +c
dx 3

dy
6. = e3x
dx

dy 1
Integrate: dx = e 3 x dx y = e 3 x + c
dx 3

d2y
7. = cos 3x
dx 2

d2y
dx
dy 1
Integrate twice: 2
dx = cos 3x dx = sin 3 x + a
dx 3

dy 1 1
dx = 3 sin 3 x + a dx y = 9 cos 3x + ax + b
dx

d3y
8. = 24 x
dx3

Integrate three times:

d3y d2y
dx 3
dx =
24 x dx
dx 2
= 12 x 2 + a

d2y
dx dx = 12x + a dx 2 dy
2
= 4 x3 + ax + b
dx

dx dx = 4x + ax + b dx
dy 3
y = x 4 + a x 2 + bx + c (a = a 2)

E Steiner 2008
Solutions for Chapter 11 4

9. A body moves along the x direction under the influence of the force F (t ) = cos 2 t , where t is the
time. (i) Write down the equation of motion. (ii) Find the solution that satisfies the initial
conditions x(0) = 0 and x (0) = 1.

(i) By Newtons second law of motion, for a body of mass m,

d 2x
F (t ) = m = cos 2 t
dt 2

(ii) Integrating twice with respect to time t,

d 2x
dt
1 dx 1
2
dt = cos 2 t dt = sin 2 t + a
m dt 2 m

dx 1 1
dt = sin 2 t + a dt x(t ) = 2 cos 2 t + at + b
dt 2 m 4 m

By the initial conditions:

1 1
x(0) = 0 = 2
+b b =
4 m 4 2 m

dx
x (0) = = 1 = a
dt t =0

1
Therefore x(t ) = (1 cos 2t ) + t
4 2 m

Verify that the given function is a solution of the differential equation, and determine the particular
solution for the given initial condition:

dy
10. x = 2 y; y = cx 2 ; y = 24 when x = 2
dx

dy dy
y = cx 2 = 2cx x = 2cx 2 = 2 y
dx dx

The initial condition is y = 24 when x = 2 .

Therefore 24 = 4c c = 6

and y = 6x2

E Steiner 2008
Solutions for Chapter 11 5

dy 2
11. + 2 xy = 0; y = ce x ; y = 2 when x = 2
dx

2 dy 2 dy 2
y = ce x = 2cxe x = 2 xy + 2cxe x = 0
dx dx

The initial condition is y = 2 when x = 2 .

Therefore 2 = ce 4 c = 2e4

2
and y = 2e 4 x

dy
12. + 2 y + 2 = 0; y = ce2 x 1; y (0) = 4
dx

dy dy
y = ce 2 x 1 = 2ce 2 x = 2( y + 1) + 2y + 2 = 0
dx dx

The initial condition is y = 4 when x = 0 .

Therefore 4 = c 1 c = 5

and y = 5e 2 x 1

Section 11.3

Find the general solution of the differential equation:

dy 3x 2
13. = : Put y dy = 3 x 2 dx .
dx y

y dy = 3x dx 2 1 2
Then y = x3 + c
2

and y 2 = 2 x3 + c

dy dy
14. = 4 xy 2 : Put 2 = 4 x dx
dx y

y
dy 1
Then 2
= 4 x dx = 2 x2 + c
y

1
and y=
2 x2 + c

E Steiner 2008
Solutions for Chapter 11 6

dy dy
15. = 3 x 2 y : Put = 3x 2 dx .
dx y

y = 3x dx
dy 2
Then ln y = x3 + c

3 3
+c
and y = ex = ae x ( a = ec )

dy
16. y 2 = e x : Put y 2 dy = e x dx .
dx

1 3
Then y 2 dy = e x dx y = e x + c
3

and y 3 = 3e x + c (c = 3c )

dy
17. = y ( y 1)
dx

dx = x + c
dy dy
We have = dx =
y ( y 1) y ( y 1)

y( y 1) dy = ( y 1) y dy = ln( y 1) ln y = ln
1 1 1 y 1
Now
y

y 1 y 1
Therefore ln = x+c = ae x
y y

Then, solving for y,

y 1 1
=a y=
y 1 ae x

dy y dy dx
18. = : Put =
dx x y x

dy dx y
Then = ln y = ln x + a ln = a
y x x

y
and = ea = c y = cx
x

E Steiner 2008
Solutions for Chapter 11 7

Solve the initial value problems:

dy y + 2
19. = ; y (0) = 1
dx x 3
Separation of variables and integration gives

dy dx dy dx
= = ln( y + 2) = ln( x 3) + c
y + 2 x3 y+2 x 3

Then, putting, c = ln a ,

ln( y + 2) = ln a ( x 3) y + 2 = a ( x 3)

The initial condition is y = 1 when x = 0 .

Therefore 3 = 3a a = 1

and y = 1 x

dy x 2 1
20. = ; y (0) = 1
dx 2 y + 1

Separation of variables and integration gives

1 3
(2 y + 1) dy = ( x 2 1) dx y 2 + y = x x+c
3

The initial condition is y = 1 when x = 0 . Then c = 0

1 3
and y2 + y = x x
3

dy y ( y + 1)
21. = ; y (2) = 1
dx x( x 1)

dy dx
We have =
y ( y + 1) x( x 1)

and, by the method of partial fractions,

1 1

1 1 y x 1
dy = x 1 x dx ln y + 1 = ln a x
y y + 1

y x 1
Then = a .
y +1 x

The initial condition is y = 1 when x = 2. . Then a = 1

y x 1
and = xy = xy y + x 1 y = x 1
y +1 x

E Steiner 2008
Solutions for Chapter 11 8

dy
22. = ex+ y ; y (0) = 0
dx

Separation of variables and integration gives

e y dy = e x dx
e y
dy =
e dx
x

e y = e x + c

The initial condition is y = 0 when x = 0 .

Then e y = e x + c 1 = 1 + c c = 2

Therefore e y = 2 e x

and, taking the log of each side,

y = ln(2 e x )

Solve the initial value problems:

dy x + y
23. = ; y (1) = 2
dx x

Let u=y x

dy x + y y
Then = = 1+ 1 + u = f (u )
dx x x

The general solution is given by equation (11.19),

f (u) u = ln x + c
du

du y
The left side is = du = u =
f (u ) u x

y
Therefore = ln x + c y = x (ln x + c)
x

The initial condition, y = 2 when x = 1 , gives c = 2 . The particular solution of the differential

equation is therefore

y = x (ln x + 2)

E Steiner 2008
Solutions for Chapter 11 9

dy
24. 2 xy = ( x 2 + y 2 ); y (1) = 0
dx

dy dy ( x2 + y2 ) 1 x y
We have 2 xy = ( x 2 + y 2 ) = = +
dx dx 2 xy 2 y x

Let u=y x

dy 11 1 1
Then = + u = f (u ); f (u ) u = 3u +
dx 2u 2 u

By equation (11.19), the general solution is

f (u) u = ln x + c
du

du du udu 1
The left side is = 2 =2 = ln(3u 2 + 1)
f (u ) u 3u + 1 u 2
3u + 1 3

1 3y 2
Therefore ln 2 + 1 = ln x + c ln(3 y 2 + x 2 ) = ln ax ( ln a = 3c)
3 x

and the general solution of the differential equation is

1 1 1 1
ln(3 y 2 + x 2 ) = ln 3 y 2 + x2 = y2 = x2
ax ax 3 ax

The initial condition, y = 0 when x = 1 , gives a = 1 . The particular solution of the homogeneous

differential equation is therefore

1 1
y 2 = x2
3x

dy
25. xy 3 = x4 + y4 ; y (2) = 0
dx

dy dy x3 y 1 y
We have xy 3 = x4 + y 4 = 3 + = 3 + u = f (u ) where u =
dx dx y x u x

f (u) u = u du = 4u
du 3 1 4
Then

and the general solution of the differential equation is

y4
= ln x + c
4x4

The initial condition, y = 0 when x = 2 , gives c = ln 2 .

x
Therefore y 4 = 4 x 4 ln
2

E Steiner 2008
Solutions for Chapter 11 10

26. Show that a differential equation of the form

dy
= f (ax + by + c)
dx
is reduced to separable form by means of the substitution u = ax + by .

Let u = ax + by

du dy
Then = a+b = a + f (u + c)
dx dx

Therefore, by separation of variables,

a + f (u + c) = x + c
du du
= dx
a + f (u + c)

Use the method of Exercise 26 to find the general solution:

dy
27. = 2x + y + 3
dx

Let u = 2x + y

du dy
Then = 2+ = u +5
dx dx

Then, by separation of variables,

u + 5 = dx
du
ln (u + 5) = x + c u + 5 = e x + c = ae x ( a = ec )

Therefore y = ae x 2 x 5

dy x y
28. =
dx x y + 2

Let u = x y

du dy x y u 2
Then = 1 = 1 = 1 =
dx dx x y + 2 u+2 u+2

Then, by separation of variables,

1 u2

1
(u + 2) du = dx + 2u = x + c

2 2 2

1 ( x y)2
and + 2( x y ) = x + c ( x y )2 4 y = a ( a = 4c )
2 2

E Steiner 2008
Solutions for Chapter 11 11

Section 11.4

29. Find the interval 1 n in which the amount of reactant in a first-order decay process is reduced by

factor n.

As for the half-life (n = 2) ,

1
x(t + 1 n ) = x(t )
n

and, for first-order exponential decay,

x(t ) = ae kt
k (t +1 n ) k1 n
x(t + 1 n ) = ae = ae kt e
k1 n
=e x(t )

1 k 1
Then = e 1n ln = k1 n ln n = k1 n
n n

ln n
and 1 n =
k

30. Solve the initial value problem for the nth-order kinetic process A products
dx
= kx n x(0) = a (n > 1)
dt

By separation of variables and integration,

x = k dt
dx 1
= kt + c
n
(n 1) x n 1

1
The initial condition, x = a when t = 0 , gives c =
(n 1)a n 1

1 1
Therefore n 1
n 1
= (n 1)kt
x a

E Steiner 2008
Solutions for Chapter 11 12

31. The reversible reaction A U B, first-order in both directions, has rate equation

dx
= k1 (a x) k1 x
dt
Find x(t ) for initial condition x(0) = 0 .

dx
We have = k1 (a x) k1 x = k1a (k1 + k1 ) x
dt

Then, by separation of variables and integration,

dx 1
= dt ln k1a (k1 + k1 ) x = t + c
k1a (k1 + k1 ) x k1 + k1

1
The initial condition, x = 0 when t = 0 gives c = ln k1a .
k1 + k1

k1a k1a
Therefore ln = (k1 + k1 )t = e( k1 + k1 )t
k1a (k1 + k1 ) x k1a (k1 + k1 ) x

k1a
and x= 1 e( k1 + k1 )t
k1 + k1

32. A third-order process A + 2B products has rate equation

dx
= k (a x) (b 2 x) 2
dt
where a and b are the initial amounts of A and B, respectively. Show that the solution that satisfies
the initial condition x(0) = 0 is given by

1 a (b 2 x) 2x
kt = ln +
(2a b) 2
b(a x) b(2a b) (b 2 x)

Separation of variables and integration gives

(a x) (b 2x) = k dt = kt + c
dx
2

Now, by the method of partial fractions,

1 1 1 2 2(2a b)
= +
(a x) (b 2 x) 2
(2a b) (a x) b 2 x (b 2 x) 2
2

1 2(2a b)
(a x) (b 2x)
dx 1 2
Therefore = + dx
(a x) b 2 x (b 2 x )
2 2 2
(2a b)

1 2a b
= ln(a x) + ln(b 2 x) + b 2 x = kt + c
2
(2a b)

E Steiner 2008
Solutions for Chapter 11 13

The initial condition, x = 0 when t = 0 , gives

1 2a b 1 b 1
c= ln a + ln b + b = ln +
(2a b) 2
(2a b)
2
a b(2a b)

1 a(b 2 x) 2x
Therefore kt = ln +
(2a b) b(a x) b(2a b)(b 2 x)
2

Section 11.5

Find the general solution:

dy
33. + 2y = 4
dx

The linear differential equation has the form (11.47) with p( x) = 2, r ( x) = 4 . Then

p( x) dx = 2 x , and the integrating factor is

F ( x) = e
p ( x ) dx
= e2 x

Then, by formula ,

e2 x y = 4
e 2x
dx + c = 2e 2 x + c

and y = 2 + ce 2 x

dy
34. 4 xy = x
dx

We have p( x) = 4 x, r ( x) = x , and integrating factor F ( x ) = e

4 x dx 2
= e 2 x .

Therefore, by formula ,

e
2
2 x 2 1 2
e 2 x y = x dx + c = e 2 x + c
4

2 1
and y = ce 2 x
4

E Steiner 2008
Solutions for Chapter 11 14

dy
35. + 3 y = e3 x
dx

We have p( x) = 3, r ( x) = e 3 x , and integrating factor F ( x ) = e

3 dx
= e3 x .

Then, by formula ,

e3 x y =
e 3x
e3 x dx =
dx = x + c
and y = e 3 x ( x + c)

dy 2 y
36. + = 2 cos x
dx x

dx
We have p( x) = 2 x , r ( x) = 2 cos x . Then p ( x) dx = 2 = 2 ln x = ln x 2 and the integrating
x

factor is F ( x ) = e
p ( x ) dx 2
= eln x = x 2 . Then, by formula ,

x2 y = 2
x cos x dx + c
2

and integration by parts, as in Example 6.11, gives

x 2 y = 2 x 2 sin x + 2 x cos x 2sin x + c

2 2
y= x sin x + 2 x cos x 2sin x + c
x2

dy y 4
37. =
dx x 2 x 2

p( x) = 1 x 2 , r ( x) = 4 x 2 ,

and the integrating factor is F ( x) = e

p dx
= e1 x . Then, by formula ,

e
1
e1 x y = 4 1x
dx + c
x2

1 1
Let u= , du = 2 dx .
x x

e e du + c = 4e + c = 4e
1
Then e1 x y = 4 1x
2
dx + c = 4 u u 1x
+c
x

and e1 x y = 4e1 x + c y = ce 1 x 4

E Steiner 2008
Solutions for Chapter 11 15

dy
38. + (2 tan x) y = sin x
dx

We have p( x) = 2 tan x, r ( x) = sin x .

Then
p(x) dx = 2 tan x dx = 2 ln(cos x) = ln(1 cos x) 2

2 1
and the integrating factor is F ( x) = eln(1 cos x)
= .
cos 2 x

cos x sin x dx + c = cos x + c

1 1 1
Then y=
cos 2 x 2

and y = cos x + c cos 2 x

dy
39. + ax n y = bx n , (n 1)
dx

We have p( x) = ax n , r ( x) = bx n , and

n+1 ( n +1)
F ( x) = e
ax n dx
= eax .

n+1 ( n +1) n+1 ( n +1)
Then e ax y= e ax bx n dx + c

Let t = x n +1 (n + 1) , dt = x n .

e
n+1 ( n +1) b at b n+1
Then eax y=b at
dt + c = e + c = eax ( n +1) + c
a a

b n+1
and y= + ce ax ( n +1)
a

dy y
40. + a = xn
dx x

We have p( x) = a x , r ( x) = x n , and integrating factor F ( x) = e

a x dx
= e a ln x = x a .

x a + n +1
Then xa y =
x a x n dx + c =
a + n +1
+c

x n +1
and y= + cx a
a + n +1

E Steiner 2008
Solutions for Chapter 11 16

Section 11.6

k k k
41. The system of three consecutive first-order processes A
1
B
2
C
3
D is modelled
by the set of equations
d (a x) dy dz
= k1 (a x ), = k1 (a x) k2 y, = k2 y k3 z
dt dt dt
where (a x), y, and z are the amounts of A, B, and C, respectively, at time t. Given the initial
conditions x = y = z = 0 at t = 0 , find the amount of C as a function of t. Assume

k1 k2 , k1 k3 , k2 k3 .

For the first-order step A B ,

d (a x)
= k1 (a x)
dt

Separation of variables and integration gives

d (a x)
= k1 dt ln(a x) = k1t + c a x = Ae k1t ( A = ec )
(a x)

The initial condition for this step is x = 0 when t = 0 . Therefore A = a and

a x = ae k1t (equation 1)

For step B C , making use of equation 1 above,

dy dy
= k1 (a x) k2 y = ak1e k1t k2 y + k2 y = ak1e k1t
dt dt

We have a linear equation with p(t ) = k2 , r (t ) = ak1e k1t and integrating factor

F (t ) = e
k2 dt
= e k2 t .

e
ak1 ( k2 k1 )t
Then e k2 t y = k2 t
ak1e k1t dt = ak1 e( k2 k1 )t dt = e +c
k2 k1

ak1 k1t
and y= e + ce k2t
k2 k1

ak1
The initial condition for this step is y = 0 when t = 0 . Therefore c = and
k2 k1

ak1
y= e k1t e k2t (equation 2)
k2 k1

E Steiner 2008
Solutions for Chapter 11 17

For step C D , making use of equation 2,

dz dz ak k
= k 2 y k3 z + k3 z = k2 y = 1 2 e k1t e k2t
dt dt k2 k1

ak1k2 k1t
This is a linear equation with p(t ) = k3 , r (t ) = e e k2t and integrating factor e k3t .
k2 k1

ak k ( k3 k1 )t e( k3 k2 )t

ak1k2
Then e k3t z = e( k3 k1 )t e( k3 k2 )t dt = 1 2 e +c
k2 k1 k2 k1 k3 k1 k3 k2

ak1k2 e k1 e k 2t k t
and z= + ce 3
k2 k1 k3 k1 k3 k2

ak1k2 1 1
The initial condition for this step is z = 0 when t = 0 . Therefore c = ,
k2 k1 k3 k1 k3 k2

and
the amount of substance C at time t is

ak1k2 e k1t e k3t e k2t e k3t

z=
k2 k1 k3 k1 k3 k2

E Steiner 2008
Solutions for Chapter 11 18

k k
42. The first-order process A
1
B is followed by the parallel first-order processes B
2
C
k
and B
3
D, and the system is modelled by the equations

d (a x) dy
= k1 (a x), = k1 (a x) (k2 + k3 ) y,
dt dt
dz du
= k 2 y, = k3 y
dt dt
where (a x), y, z and u are the amounts of A, B, C, and D, respectively, at time t. Given the

initial conditions x = y = z = u = 0 at t = 0 find the amount of C as a function of time.

k2 C
k1 z
A B
ax y
k3 D
u

A B : as in Exercise 41.

d (a x)
= k1 (a x) a x = ae k1t
dt

B C + D : as in Exercise 41, but with k2 replaced by k2 + k3 .

dy ak1
= k1 (a x) (k2 + k3 ) y y = e k1t e ( k2 + k3 )t
dt k2 + k3 k1

BD:

dz ak1k2
= k2 y = e k1t e( k2 + k3 )t
dt k2 + k3 k1

Integration with respect to t gives

ak1k2 e k1t e ( k2 + k3 )t
z= + +c
k2 + k3 k1 k1 k2 + k3

ak1k2 1 1
The initial condition, z = 0 when t = 0 , gives c= . The amount of
k2 + k3 k1 k1 k2 + k3

substance C at time t is therefore,

ak1k2 1 e k1t 1 e ( k2 + k3 )t
z=
k2 + k3 k1 k1 k2 + k3

E Steiner 2008
Solutions for Chapter 11 19

Section 11.7

43. The current in an RLcircuit containing one resistor and one inductor is given by the equation
dI
L + RI = E
dt
Solve the equation for a periodic e.m.f. E (t ) = E0 sin t , with initial condition I (0) = 0 .

This is the problem discussed in Example 11.7, but with a periodic e.m.f. Thus, by equation (11.66),
the solution of the linear differential equation is

e
E
I (t ) = e Rt /L Rt /L
dt + c
L

and, inserting E = E0 sin t ,

E
I (t ) = e Rt /L 0 e Rt /L sin tdt + c
L

The integral is evaluated by parts, as described in Example 6.13. Let a = R /L and b = , then
(see also Exercises 49 and 50 in Chapter 6)

e e
1 at b
at
sin bt dt = e sin bt at
cos bt dt
a a
b2
e
1 at b
= e sin bt 2 eat cos bt 2 at
sin bt dt
a a a

Solving for
e at
sin bt dt ,

eat
e at sin bt dt = a sin bt b cos bt .
a2 + b2

E
Then I (t ) = e Rt /L 0 e Rt /L sin tdt + c
L

e Rt /L E0 L R
= e Rt /L 2 2 2 L sin t cos t + c
R + L

E0 L
The initial condition, I = 0 when t = 0 , gives c = .
R + 2 L2
2

E0 Le Rt /L + R sin t L cos t
Therefore I (t ) =
R + 2 L2
2

E Steiner 2008
Solutions for Chapter 11 20

44. Show that the current in an RCcircuit containing one resistor and one capacitor is given by the
equation
dI I dE
R + =
dt C dt
Solve the equation for (i) a constant e.m.f., E = E0 , (ii) a periodic e.m.f., E (t ) = E0 sin t .

By Kirchoffs law and equations (11.62) and (11.64),

Q
RI + =E
C

dQ
Then, because =I
dt

dI 1 dQ dE dI I dE
we have R + = R + =
dt C dt dt dt C dt

dE
(i) For constant e.m.f., = 0 and the differential equation is separable. Thus
dt

I = RC dt
dI I dI 1 t
R + =0 ln I = +c
dt C RC

Therefore I = I 0 e t RC
, where I 0 is the current at time t = 0 .

dE
(ii) We have E = E0 sin t = E0 cos t .
dt

dI I E
Then + = 0 cos t
dt RC R

E0
is a linear equation with p = 1 RC , r = cos t and integrating factor F (t ) = et RC
.
R

E0
e

Then I (t ) = et RC

t RC
cos t dt + c
R

The integral is evaluated by parts, as in Exercise 43 above and Exercise 50 in Chapter 6:

eat
eat cos bt dt = a cos bt + b sin bt
a 2 + b2

where a = 1 RC and b = . Therefore

RCe t RC
et RC
cos t dt = cos t + RC sin t
q + ( RC )2

E0C
and I (t ) = cos t + RC sin t + cet RC
1 + ( RC ) 2

E Steiner 2008