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3 DIFFERENTIAL EQUATION AS
MATHEMATICAL MODELS
MATHEMATICAL MODEL

the mathematical description of a

system or phenomenon.
EXAMPLES

• Models of human population growth

• Model of continuous compounding of interest
• Model of chemical reaction

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 MODELLING PROCESS
Identify var &
make Express
Mathematical
assumptions
assumption formulation
in terms of
differential equation
If necessary, alter
Solve the DEs
assumptions or
increase resolution
of model

Check model Display model

predictions with predictions Obtain solutions
known facts (e.g. graphically)

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 EXAMPLE

1. Model of Human Population Growth

Assumption:
The rate at which population dP dP
of a country grows at certain P   kP
time is proportional to the total
dt dt
population of the country at that time

Fails to take into account : P=?

immigration & emigration

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2. Radioactive decay.
It is assumed that the rate of which the substance
A decay is proportional to the amount of substance
remaining.
dA dA
 A or  kA
dt dt
3. Newton’s Law of Cooling/Warming
The rate at which the temperature of a
body changes is proportional to the
difference between the temperature of the
body, T and the temperature of the
surrounding medium, Tm .
dT dT
 (T  Tm ) or  k ( T  Tm )
dt dt 4
 MORE FORMULATION
1. Under the same assumption underlying the model
in Model (1), determine a differential equation
governing the growing population P(t) of a country
when individuals are allowed to immigrate
into the country at a constant rate r.
What is the differential equation when individuals
are allowed to emigrate at a constant rate r?
Solution

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2. The number of field mice in a certain posture is
given by the function 200  10t ,
where t is measured in years.
Determine the differential equation governing
the population of owls that feed on the mice
if the rate at which the owl population grows
is proportional to the difference between
the number of owls at time t and the number of
field mice at time t.
Solution

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 Other examples
1. Chemical Reactions.
Chemical C is formed when chemical A and B
are combined.
It is assumed that the rate of which chemical C is
formed is proportional to the amount of chemical A
and B remaining.

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2. Series Circuits.
Consider the single-loop series circuit containing
an inductor (L), resistor (R) and capasitor (C):

L
R
E

Kirchhoff’s second law states that the sum of the voltage

drop across the inductor (L(di/dt)) and the voltage drop
across the resistor (iR) is the same as the impressed
voltage (E(t)) on the circuit.
Thus the linear DE for the current i(t),
di i (t) – the current in the circuit after the
L  Ri  E (t ) switch is closed.
dt L and R are constants known as inductance
and resistance. 8
 3. Falling Bodies and Air Resistance
Newton Second Law of Motion:
A net force, F,acting on a body is proportional
to its accelaration, a: F=ma
where m is the mass of the body.
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dv d s ds
Know a   2
and v 
dt dt dt
where v is the velocity and s is the position of the body.
2
Falling Bodies Model: d s
2
 g
dt
dv
Include air resistance: m  mg  kv
dt 9
 4. Draining tank
Aw A tank filled with water is allowed to drain
h through a hole under the influence of gravity.
A
h
Aw=the area of the upper surface of the water.
Ah=the area of the hole.
h=the depth/height of the water remaining.
The differential equation for the volume of the water
at time t, V(t): dV
  Ah 2 gh
dt
The differential equation for the height of the water
at time t, h(t): dh Ah
 2 gh
dt Aw
SUGGESTED EXE : 1.3 no: 1-8, 13-14,15-17, 23-25.
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