DIFFERENTIAL EQUATIONS Example:

@ t=0, k=5

Elementary Applications of First Order First Degree DE 𝑄 = 𝑄0 𝑒 5(0)

Exponential Growth and Decay 𝑄 = 𝑄0

-Is the rate of change of the amount of a certain @ 𝑡 = ∞, k=5

substance is directly proportional to the present amount.
𝑄 = 𝑄0 𝑒 5(∞)
-It is used in the analysis of population growth, simple
𝑄=∞
chemical conversion, half-life and carbon dating,
continuous compound interest. For decay:
Derivations: k is negative
Let Q be the amount at present 𝑄 = 𝑄0 𝑒 −𝑘𝑡
𝑑𝑄 Example:
α𝑄
𝑑𝑡
@ t=0, k= -5
𝑑𝑄
= 𝑘𝑄 𝑄 = 𝑄0 𝑒 −5(0)
𝑑𝑡
Separating variables, 𝑄 = 𝑄0
𝑑𝑄 @ 𝑡 = ∞, k= -5
= 𝑘𝑑𝑡
𝑄
𝑄 = 𝑄0 𝑒 −5(∞)
IBS,
𝑄=0
𝑑𝑄
∫ = 𝑘 ∫ 𝑑𝑡 Sample problems:
𝑄
ln 𝑄 = 𝑘𝑡 + 𝐶 1. The population of the community is known to increase
at a rate proportional to the number of people present
𝑄 = 𝑒 𝑘𝑡+𝐶 at a time “t”. If the population has doubled in 5 years,
how long will it take to triple?
𝑸 = 𝑪𝒆𝒌𝒕
2. The population of a town is known to increase at a
@ t = 0, Q=Q0
rate proportional to the population present at time “t”.
From, The initial population of 500 increases by 15% in 10
𝑸 = 𝑪𝒆𝒌𝒕 years. What will be the population in 30 years?

𝑄0 = Cek(0) Half-Life

𝑸𝟎 = 𝐂 -Measures the stability of an atom

So, -The time required for half of an initial amount Q0 of a

substance to disintegrate and transmute into the atoms
𝑸 = 𝑸𝟎 𝒆𝒌𝒕
of another element.
For growth:
Some common half-lives:
k is positive
Radium- 1600 years (some books 1700 years)
𝑘𝑡
𝑄 = 𝑄0 𝑒
Uranium- 4.5 billion years

Carbon- 5600 years

Sample Problems:

1. Radium decomposes at a rate proportional to the

quantity of radium present. Find how long will it take for
90% of the radioactivity to be dissipated?

2. Archeologists used pieces of burned wood or charcoal

found at the site to date prehistoric paintings and
drawings on the walls and ceilings of a cave in Lascaux,
France. If it was found out that 85.5% of the carbon had
decayed, determine the approximate age of a piece of
wood.

Logistics

Sample Problem.

1. 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 to
the number of students not infected. Determine the
number of students infected after 6 days if it is further
observed that after 4 days x(4)=50.