Differential Equation Revision (Source 2017 Prelims)

1. At the intensive care unit of a hospital, patients of a particular condition receive a certain
treatment drug through an intravenous drip at a constant rate of 30mg per hour. Due to the
limited capacity for absorption by the body, the drug is lost from a patient’s body at a rate
proportional to x, where x is the amount of drug (in mg) present in the body at time t (in
hours). It is assumed that there is no presence of the drug in any patient prior to admission
to the hospital.

(i) Form a differential equation involving x and t and show that x =

30
k
( )
1 − e − kt where
k is a positive constant. [4]

(ii) If there is more than 1000mg of drug present in a patient’s body, it is considered
an overdose. Suppose the drug continues to be administered, determine the range
of values of k such that a patient will have an overdose. [2]
1
For a particular patient, k = .
50

(iii) Find the time required for the amount of the drug present in the patient’s body to
be 200mg. [3]

2. The variables y and x satisfy the differential equation

dy 1 − ln x .
=
dx x ln x + 2 x 2

ln x du
(i) Show that the substitution u = reduces the differential equation to = u + 2.
x dy
Given that y = 0 when x = 1, show that y = ln 
ln x 
+ 1 . [6]
 2x 

The curve C has equation y = ln 

ln x 
+ 1 . It is given that C has a maximum point and two
 2x 
asymptotes y = a and x = b.

(ii) Find the exact coordinates of the maximum point. [2]

(iii) Explain why a = 0. [You may assume that as x → , ln x → 0. ] [1]

x

(iv) Determine the value of b, giving your answer correct to 4 decimal places. [2]

(v) Sketch C. [2]

1
Differential Equation Revision (Source 2017 Prelims)

3. Food energy taken in by a man goes partly to maintain the healthy functioning of his body
and partly to increase body mass. The total food energy intake of the man per day is
assumed to be a constant denoted by I (in joules). The food energy required to maintain
the healthy functioning of his body is proportional to his body mass M (in kg). The
increase of M with respect to time t (in days) is proportional to the energy not used by
his body. If the man does not eat for one day, his body mass will be reduced by 1%.
(i) Show that I , M and t are related by the following differential equation:
dM I − aM
= , where a is a constant.
dt 100a
State an assumption for this model to be valid. [3]
(ii) Find the total food energy intake per day, I , of the man in terms of a and M if
he wants to maintain a constant body mass. [1]
It is given that the man's initial mass is 100kg.
(iii) Solve the differential equation in part (i), giving M in terms of I , a and t . [3]
(iv) Sketch the graph of M against t for the case where I  100a . Interpret the shape
of the graph with regard to the man's food energy intake. [3]
(v) If the man's total food energy intake per day is 50a , find the time taken in days for
the man to reduce his body mass from 100kg to 90kg. [2]

4. Two students are investigating the rate of change of the amount of water in a reservoir,
x million cubic metres, at time t hour during a rainfall.
2
Student A suggests that x and t are related by the differential equation d 2x = 2
.
( t + 1)
3
dt

(i) Find the general solution of this differential equation. [3]

Student B assumes that the amount of water flowing into the reservoir depends only on
the rainfall and is at a constant rate of k million cubic metres per hour. The rate at which
water flows out from the reservoir is proportional to the square of the amount of water in
the reservoir.
(ii) If the amount of water in the reservoir stabilizes at 0.5 million cubic metres, show
that the rate of change of the amount of water in the reservoir can be modelled by

= k (1 − 4 x 2 ) .
dx
the differential equation [2]
dt

2
Differential Equation Revision (Source 2017 Prelims)

(iii) Find x in terms of k and t, given that there are initially 1 million cubic metres of
water in the reservoir. [5]
y
5. (a) By using the substitution u = , show that the differential equation
x
dy y 2 + xy + x 2
= , where x  0 ,
dx x2
1 du 1
can be reduced to 2 = . Hence, find y in terms of x. [5]
u + 1 dx x
(b) In the diagram below, the curve C1 and the line C2 illustrate the relationship
between price (P dollars per kg) and quantity (Q tonnes) for consumers and
producers respectively.

The curve C1 shows the quantity of rice that consumers will buy at each price level
while the line C2 shows the quantity of rice that producers will produce at each
price level. C1 and C2 intersect at point A, which has the coordinates (1, 4).

The quantity of rice that consumers will buy is inversely proportional to the price
of the rice. The quantity of rice that producers will produce is directly proportional
to the price.

P
C2

A (1, 4)
C1
Q
O

(i) Interpret the coordinates of A in the context of the question. [1]

(ii) Solve for the equations of C1 and C2, expressing Q in terms of P. [2]
Shortage occurs when the quantity of rice consumers will buy exceeds the quantity of
rice producers will produce. It is known that the rate of increase of P after time t months
is directly proportional to the quantity of rice in shortage.
(iii) Given that the initial price is $3 and that after 1 month, the price is $3.65, find P in
terms of t and sketch this solution curve, showing the long-term behaviour of P.
[7]

3
Differential Equation Revision (Source 2017 Prelims)

+
Suggest a reason why producers might use P = aQ + b , where a, b  , instead of C2 to
model the relationship between price and quantity of rice produced. [1]
6 In a model of forest fire investigation, the proportion of the total area of the forest which
has been destroyed is denoted by x. The destruction rate of the fire is defined to be the
rate of change of x with respect to the time t, in hours, measured from the instant the fire
is first noticed. A particular forest fire is initially noticed when 20% of the total area of
the forest is destroyed.
(a) One model of forest fire investigation shows that the destruction rate is modelled
by the differential equation
dx 1
= x(1 − x) .
dt 10
(i) Express the solution of the differential equation in the form x = f (t ) and
sketch the part of the curve for t  0 . [6]

(ii) Find the time when the destruction rate is at its maximum. [2]

(iii) Explain briefly why this model cannot be used to estimate how long the forest
has been burning when it is first noticed. [1]

(b) A second model for the investigation of forest fire is suggested and given by the
differential equation
dx 1
= .
dt   t   
2
5 1 +  + tan  
  10 10  

Determine how long the forest has been burning when the fire is first noticed. [3]

4
Differential Equation Revision (Source 2017 Prelims)

Answer

1. (ii) 0  k  0.03 , (iii) t = 7.16h or 7h 9min

  1 
2. (ii)  e, ln  + 1  , (iv) b = 0.4263
  2e  
−t
dM I I 
3. (ii) For to be zero, I = aM, (iii) M = −  − 100  e100 ,
dt a a 

4
(v) t = −100 ln = 22.3 days
5

1 1 + 3e4 kt 1 1
4. (i) x = + at + b, where b  , (iii) x = or +
t +1 6e4 kt − 2 3e 4 kt
−1 2

(a) y = x tan ( ln x + c ) , (bii) C1 : Q =

4 p
5. ; C2 : Q = , (biii) P = 16 − 7e −0.961t
P 4

4
6 (ai) x = 1 − t
, (ii) t = 10ln 4 , (b) 3.25 hours
4+e 10

5
 Differential Equation Revision (Source 2017 Prelims)

Solution

1 dx
= 30 − kx, k 0
dt

1
 dx =  dt
30 − kx

1
 − ln 30 − kx = t + C
k

 ln 30 − kx = −kt − kC

 30 − kx = e − kt − kC

 30 − kx = Ae− kt , where A = e− kC

x=
1
k
(
30 − Ae− kt )

At t = 0 , x = 0  0 =
1
k
( )
30 − Ae0  A = 30

x=
1
k
(
30 − 30e − kt =
30
k
)
1 − e − kt ( )
(ii) For patient to have overdose,

x=
30
k
( )
1 − e − kt  1000

Since for t  0 , 0  e − kt  1 , so 0  1 − e − kt  1

30 30
k

k
(
1 − e − kt  1000 )
30
0k  = 0.03
1000

(iii)  −
t

At x = 200, 200 = 30(50)  1 − e 50 
 
t
− 2
1− e 50
=
15
 15 
t = 50 ln  
 13 

Using GC, t = 7.16h or 7h 9min

6
 Differential Equation Revision (Source 2017 Prelims)

2 ln x du 1 − ln x
(i) u =  =
x dx x2

du du dx 1 − ln x x ln x + 2 x 2 ln x + 2 x
=  =  =
dy dx dy x2 1 − ln x x
du
= u + 2 (shown)
dy

1 du
= 1  ln u + 2 = y + c , c is an arbitrary constant
u + 2 dy

u + 2 = e y +c = ece y

u + 2 = Ae y , A is an arbitrary constant

ln x
+ 2 = Ae y
x

y = 0, x = 1: A=2

ln x
+1 = ey
2x

 ln x 
y = ln  + 1 (shown)
 2x 

Alternative

1 du
= 1  ln u + 2 = y + c , c is an arbitrary constant
u + 2 dy

With the boundary condition u = 0, y = 0, we see that u + 2  0

Thus ln u + 2 = y + c and c = ln 2

dy 1 − ln x
(ii) =
dx x ln x + 2 x 2

dy  1 
When = 0, 1 − ln x = 0  x = e , y = ln  + 1
dx  2e 

 
Therefore the maximum point is  e, ln  + 1  .
1
  2e  

7
Differential Equation Revision (Source 2017 Prelims)

 ln x 
(iii) y = ln  + 1
 2x 

ln x
When x → , → 0.
2x

 ln x 
y = ln  + 1 → ln1 = 0 .
 2x 

Thus a = 0 (shown)

ln x
(iv) For y → − , +1 → 0
2x

ln x + 2 x → 0

x → 0.4263

 b = 0.4263

Alternative

dy 1 − ln x
When y is undefined, = is undefined.
dx x ln x + 2 x 2

Thus x ln x + 2 x 2 = 0 .

Since x  0 for ln x to be defined, ln x + 2 x = 0 .

x
O

(v)

8
 Differential Equation Revision (Source 2017 Prelims)

3 (i)

dM
 I − kM , where k is a positive constant.
dt

dM
= b( I − kM )
dt

1
If I = 0, − M = b(0 − kM )
100

M
− = −bkM
100
1
b=
100k

dM 1 I − kM
= ( I − kM ) =
dt 100k 100k
I − aM
= , where a = k (shown)
100a

Assumption (any 1 below):

• The man does not exercise so that no food energy is used up through exercising.
• The man does not fall sick so that no food energy is used up to help him recover from his
illness.
• The man does not consume weight enhancing/loss supplements that affect his food energy
gain/loss other than maintaining the healthy functioning of his body and increasing body
mass.

dM
(ii) For to be zero, I = aM
dt

(iii)

a 1
 dM =  dt
I − aM 100
t
− ln I − aM = +C
100

−t
ln I − aM = −C
100
−t −t
100 − C
I − aM = e e = Ae 100
, where A = e −C

When t = 0, M = 100  A = I − 100a

9
Differential Equation Revision (Source 2017 Prelims)

−t
I − aM = ( I − 100a)e100

−t
aM = I − ( I − 100a)e100
−t
I I 
M= −  − 100  e100
a a 

(iv)
M
y M = I/a

100

O t x

Explanation (any 1 below):

• The man consumes more food than is necessary for maintaining a healthy functioning body.
Therefore the graph shows that his body mass will increase.
• Since I  100a , hence aI  100 . The man's body mass is always less than aI .
In the long run, the man's body mass will approach aI .

(v)

Given I = 50a ,
−t
Using equation
90 = 50 − ( 50 − 100 ) e 100 found in (iii)
−t
50e100 = 40
−t
4
e100 =
5

−t 4
= ln
100 5

4
 t = −100 ln = 22.3 days (3 s.f.)
5

10
 Differential Equation Revision (Source 2017 Prelims)

4 (i)

d2 x 2
=
dt 2
(t + 1)3
dx
=  2(t + 1) −3 dt
dt
dx 2(t + 1) −2
= + a , where a 
dt −2
= −(t + 1) −2 + a
x =  −(t + 1) −2 + a dt
= (t + 1) −1 + at + b, where b 
1
= + at + b, where b 
t +1

dx
(ii) = k − cx 2 , k , c  0
dt

dx
When x = 0.5 , =0
dt

k = c(0.5) 2
c = 4k

dx
= k − 4kx 2 = k (1 − 4 x 2 ) (shown)
dt

(iii)

= k − 4kx 2 = k (1 − 4 x 2 )
dx
dt
1
 1 − 4 x 2 dx =  k dt , 1 − 4 x  0
2

1 1+ 2x
ln = kt + d , d 
2 ( 2) 1 − 2x
1 1+ 2x
ln = kt + d
4 1− 2x
1+ 2x
ln = 4kt + 4d
1− 2x
1+ 2x
= e 4 kt + 4 d = Ae 4 kt where A =  e 4 d
1− 2x

11
 Differential Equation Revision (Source 2017 Prelims)

When t = 0, x = 1,
1+ 2
=A
1− 2
A = −3

1+ 2x
= −3e 4 kt
1− 2x
1 + 2 x = −3e 4 kt + 6 xe 4 kt
x ( 2 − 6e 4 kt ) = −3e 4 kt − 1
−3e 4 kt − 1 1 + 3e 4 kt 1 1
x= = or +
2 − 6e 4 kt 6e 4 kt − 2 3e 4 kt
−1 2

5 (a)
dy y 2 + xy + x 2  y 
2
y y
u=  y = ux , = =   + + 1 ---(1)
x x
2
x dx x

dy du
= x + u -- (2)
dx dx

Sub (2) into (1):

du du
x + u = u2 + u +1  x = u2 +1
dx dx

1 du 1
=
u + 1 dx x
2

 1 1


du =  dx
 u +12
 x

tan −1 u = ln x + c , where c is an arbitrary constant.

tan −1 u = ln x + c (since x  0 )

u = tan ( ln x + c )

y = x tan ( ln x + c )

(b)(i)
Point A shows that at 4 dollars per kg, 1 tonne of rice is produced and all of it is bought by the
consumers.

12
Differential Equation Revision (Source 2017 Prelims)

This is the equilibrium point where the price is 4 dollars per kg and the quantity
produced/consumed is 1 tonne.

(b)(ii)
k1
C1 : Q =
P
C2 : Q = k 2 P

When Q = 1, P = 4 ,

1
k1 = 4, k2 = .
4

4 P
C1 : Q = ; C2 : Q =
P 4

4 p
Hence, C1 : Q = ; C2 : Q = .
P 4

(b)(iii)
dP  4 P
= k3  − 
dt P 4
dP  16 − P 2 
= k3  
dt  4P 
4P
 16 − P 2
dP =  k3dt

−2 P
−2 dP =  k3dt
16 − P 2
−2 ln 16 − P 2 = k3t + c
− k3 −c
ln 16 − P 2 = t+
2 2
− k3 − c
t+
16 − P 2 = e 2 2

 −2c  −2k3 t
16 − P =  e  e
2

 
−c
− k3
16 − P 2 = Ae Bt , A = e 2 , B =
2
16 − Ae Bt = P ( P  0 )

13
 Differential Equation Revision (Source 2017 Prelims)

When t = 0, P = 3 :

16 − Ae B (0) = 3

16 − A = 32
A=7

When t = 1, P = 3.65 :

16 − 7e B = 3.65

16 − 3.652
B = ln = −0.96102663 = −0.961
7

 P = 16 − 7e −0.961t
P

4 P=4

3
P = 16 − 7e −0.961t

Rice production will only occur if the price is able to at least cover the initial cost of investment.
6 dx 1
(a)(i) = x(1 − x)
dt 10

 1 1   1 dt
   +  dx =
  x 1− x   10

x 1
 ln = t +C ,
1 − x 10

where C is an arbitrary constant

t
x
= Ae10 , where A = e
C

1− x

14
Differential Equation Revision (Source 2017 Prelims)

t
Ae 10
 x= t
1+ Ae 10

1 1 A 1
When t = 0 , x = . That is, =  A= .
5 5 1+ A 4
t
1 10 t
e 10
e 4
Hence, x = 4 t = t
= 1− t
.
1 10
1+ e 4 + e10 4 + e10
4

dx 1
(a)(ii) Since = x(1 − x) is a quadratic expression, destruction rate is at its maximum when
dt 10
0 +1 1
x= =
2 2

d  dx  1 1 1
Or when   = − x = 0 i.e., x = .
dx  dt  10 5 2

1
t
2 1 10
Therefore, = e .
1 4
1−
2
t
 e 10 =4  t = 10 ln 4

15
Differential Equation Revision (Source 2017 Prelims)

t
t
e 10
(a)(iii) From x = t
, x=0  e 10 = 0.
4+e 10

t
Since e10  0 for all real t , there is no value of t for x = 0 .

4
OR Note that x = 1− t
.
4+e 10

4
Since 0  t
 1 , we will have 0  x  1 .
4 + e10

Hence, x  0 for all real values of t, and there is no value of t for x = 0.

t
4
OR As t → − , e 10 → 0+ , x = 1 − t
→ 0+ .
4+e 10

Hence, x = 0 is a horizontal asymptote and there are no values of t giving

x = 0.

dx 1
(b) =
dt   t   
2
5 1 +  + tan  
  10 10  

 1
1 
x=  t   dt
2
5  
1 + + tan 
  10 10 
1

10
10 
=   t   dt
2
5  1 +  + tan 
  10 10 


2  t  
= tan −1  + tan  + C
  10 10 

1
When t = 0 , x = . Hence
5

16
Differential Equation Revision (Source 2017 Prelims)

1 2   
= tan −1  tan  + C  C = 0
5   10 

2  t  
That is, x = tan −1  + tan  .
  10 10 

From G.C., when x = 0 , t = −3.25 (3 s.f.)

Hence, the forest have been burning for 3.25 hours when it is first noticed.

17