Math 2552 – Differential Equations – Fall 2023 Worksheet 04 -modified

Modelling with 1st Order Equations (2.3)

1. The population of mosquitoes in a certain area increases at a rate proportional to the current
population, and in the absence of other factors, the population doubles each week. There are
800,000 mosquitoes in the area initially, and the predators eat 30,000 mosquitoes/day. Determine
the population of mosquitoes in the area at any time.

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2. A tank originally contains 30 gal of water with 4 lb of salt in solution. Water containing 12 lb
of salt per gallon is entering at a rate of 3 gal/min, and the well-stirred solution in the tank is
leaving at the same rate.

a. Write the differential equation for Q(t), the amount of salt in the tank.
b. Write the initial value problem for Q(t).
c. Find Q(t) by solving the initial value problem.

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3. A pizza of 450◦ F is placed in a room of 70◦ F. The cooling rate of the pizza is k = 0.3 min−1 .

a. Write the differential equation for T (t), the pizza temperature.

b. Write the initial value problem for T (t).
c. Find T (t) by solving the initial value problem.
d. When will the pizza temperature be 110◦ F?

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4. A basketball is thrown vertically up. After it reaches the heighest point, it starts to fall down.
The velocity v is measured in the unit of m/s and is measured positive in the upward direction.
The mass of the basketball is 0.6 kg. Assume that the force of air resistance is 0.0147v 2 Newtons.
Let the gravitational acceleration g = 9.8 m/s2 .

a. Write down a differential equation for the velocity v(t) when the ball is rising up.
b. Find the general solutions of the differential equation of Part a.
c. Write down a differential equation for the velocity v(t) when the ball is falling down.
d. Find the terminal speed of the ball, when the ball falls.