Solutions to Quiz 1, Unit 4.

100
80
growth rate dP/dt

60
40
20
0
−20
−40 0 50 100 150 200
P
These questions refer to the differential equation
 
dP P
= rP 1 − . (1)
dt K

The right-hand side of this equation is plotted in the figure.

1. The parameter K is known as:

A. The annihilation population

B. The Apocalypse popultion
C. The carrying capacity
D. The growth rate

Solution: The answer is C. For the logistic differential equation, K is the carrying capacity.

2. Based on the figure, what is the value of K?

A. 50
B. 100
C. 200
D. There is not enough information to determine K

1
 Solution: The answer is C. The carrying capacity is the value of the stable fixed point,
which occurs at 200.

3. Which of the folllowing statements about the fixed points for this dynamical system is
true?

A. There is an unstable fixed point at P = 100.

B. There is a stable fixed point at P = 0 and an unstable fixed point at P = 200.
C. There is an unstable fixed point at P = 0 and a stable fixed point at P = 200.
D. This dynamical system has no fixed points

Solution: The answer is C.