Applied Mathematics

Assignment 4

𝑑𝑦
1. Find the response for y governed by the differential equation 𝑑𝑥 = 𝑦 𝑥 2 − 1.1 𝑦 for x = 0 to x = 2 in
two steps i.e. h = 0.5 and h = 0.2 given y(0) = 1 using the following four methods.
a. 𝐸𝑢𝑙𝑒𝑟 𝑀𝑒𝑡ℎ𝑜𝑑.
b. 𝐻𝑒𝑢𝑛′ 𝑠 𝑀𝑒𝑡ℎ𝑜𝑑
c. 𝑀𝑖𝑑𝑝𝑜𝑖𝑛𝑡 𝑀𝑒𝑡ℎ𝑜𝑑
d. 𝑅𝑎𝑙𝑠𝑡𝑜𝑛′𝑠 𝑀𝑒𝑡ℎ𝑜𝑑

2. In the theory of beams, it is shown that the radius of curvature at any point is proportional to
𝑦′′
the bending moment: 𝐸𝐼 (1+(𝑦′ )2 )3/2 = 𝑀(𝑥), where y is the deflection of the neutral axis. For a
cantilever beam for which y(0) = y'(0) = 0, express the equation as a pair of simultaneous first
order equations. Solve using RK4 method the deflection for a steel beam of length 30 mm, width
25 mm and thickness 0.75 mm. Take appropriate step size and compare the deflection with an
approximated expression assuming y'=0 for two moments of 1 Nm and 50 Nm.

3. A mass attached to a spring moves horizontally on a frictionless bar as shown in the figure. Let
x(t) be the distance from the center of the bar to the location of the block at time t. Given m = 3
kg, k = 100 N/m, unstretched length of spring, L = √10 m, the equilibrium position of the block, x
= 1 m or x = -1 m. The motion is described by the second order DE:

a. Use RK3 and RK4 method to compute the position of the block over a period of time from t
= 0 s to 10 s if 𝑥0 = 1.4 and the initial velocity is zero. Plot x vs t.
b. Use RK3 and RK4 method to compute the position of the block over a period of time from t
= 0 s to 10 s if 𝑥0 = 2.5 and the initial velocity is zero. Plot x vs t
4. The Duffing equation for the deformation x is described as the following nonlinear differential
equation:
𝑑2 𝑥
+ 𝜔0 𝑥 + 𝑏𝑥 3 = 𝐹 cos 𝜔𝑡
𝑑𝑡 2

where 𝜔0 = √83 , b = 0.14, F = 33𝜋, and 𝜔 = 120𝜋. Use RK3 and RK4 methods to determine
and compare the response (x vs t) with and without the nonlinear term 𝑏𝑥 3 over a period of
time with zero initial conditions.
5. Use RK4 method to find the solution for the Predator-prey model given by the following Lotka-
Volterra equations:
𝑑𝑥
= 1.2𝑥 − 0.6𝑥𝑦
𝑑𝑡
𝑑𝑦
= −0.8𝑦 + 0.3𝑥𝑦
𝑑𝑡

Employ the initial conditions of x = 2 and y = 1 and integrate from t = 0 to 30 using a step size of
0.1. Plot x vs t and y vs t on a same plot. Plot y vs x on a different chart. What do you observe if x
and y represent the populations of prey and predator, respectively.