Integration – Differential Equations

1
1. (a) Express in partial fractions. (3)
P(5 − P)
A team of conservationists is studying the population of meerkats on a nature reserve. The population is
dP 1
modelled by the differential equation = P(5 – P), t  0, where P, in thousands, is the
dt 15
population of meerkats and t is the time measured in years since the study began.

Given that when t = 0, P = 1,

a
(b) solve the differential equation, giving your answer in the form, P = 1
− t
b + ce 3

where a, b and c are integers. (8)

(c) Hence show that the population cannot exceed 5000. (1)

1 1 5 25
C4J12Q8 ANS: (a) 5
+ 5
(b) P = or P = − 1t
etc.
P (5 − P) (1 + 4e
− 13 t
) (5 + 20e 3 )

2.

Figure 1

At time t seconds the length of the side of a cube is x cm, the surface area of the cube is S cm2, and the
volume of the cube is V cm3.
The surface area of the cube is increasing at a constant rate of 8 cm2 s–1.
Show that
dx k
(a) = , where k is a constant to be found, (4)
dt x
dV 1

(b) = 2V 3 . (4)
dt

Given that V = 8 when t = 0,

(c) solve the differential equation in part (b), and find the value of t when V = 162. (7)
2
dx
C4S06Q7 ANS: (a) = 3
(b) 3
dt x

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3.

Figure 2
Figure 2 shows a cylindrical water tank. The diameter of a circular cross-section of the tank is 6 m. Water
is flowing into the tank at a constant rate of 0.48π m3 min−1. At time t minutes, the depth of the water in
the tank is h metres. There is a tap at a point T at the bottom of the tank. When the tap is open, water
leaves the tank at a rate of 0.6πh m3 min−1.
dh
(a) Show that, t minutes after the tap has been opened, 75 = (4 – 5h). (5)
dt
When t = 0, h = 0.2
(b) Find the value of t when h = 0.5 (6)

C4S10Q8 ANS: (b) 15 ln 2 (awrt 10.4)

4. Liquid is pouring into a container at a constant rate of 20 cm3 s–1 and is leaking out at a rate proportional
to the volume of the liquid already in the container.

(a) Explain why, at time t seconds, the volume, V cm3, of liquid in the container satisfies the differential
dV
equation = 20 – kV, where k is a positive constant. (2)
dt
The container is initially empty.
(b) By solving the differential equation, show that V = A + Be–kt, giving the values of A and B in terms
of k. (6)
dV
Given also that = 10 when t = 5,
dt
(c) find the volume of liquid in the container at 10 s after the start. (5)

C4S05Q8 ANS: (b) V =

20 20 − kt
k
− e or
k
20
k
(1 − e − kt ) (c) V =
75
ln 2
or awrt 108

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5. The volume of a spherical balloon of radius r cm is V cm3, where V = 4
3  r 3.
dV
(a) Find . (1)
dr
dV 1000
The volume of the balloon increases with time t seconds according to the formula = , t  0.
dt (2t + 1) 2
dr
(b) Using the chain rule, or otherwise, find an expression in terms of r and t for . (2)
dt
dV 1000
(c) Given that V = 0 when t = 0, solve the differential equation = , to obtain V in terms
dt (2t + 1) 2
of t. (4)
(d) Hence, at time t = 5,
(i) find the radius of the balloon, giving your answer to 3 significant figures, (3)
(ii) show that the rate of increase of the radius of the balloon is approximately
2.90  10–2 cm s–1. (2)

dV 1000 1
C4J06Q7 ANS: (a) = 4 r 2 (b) (c)V = 500(1 − ) (d)(i) 4.77
dr 4 r (2t + 1)
2 2
2t + 1

dP
6. A population growth is modelled by the differential equation = kP,
dt
where P is the population, t is the time measured in days and k is a positive constant.
Given that the initial population is P0,
(a) solve the differential equation, giving P in terms of P0, k and t. (4)
Given also that k = 2.5,
(b) find the time taken, to the nearest minute, for the population to reach 2P0. (3)
dP
In an improved model the differential equation is given as = P cos t,
dt
where P is the population, t is the time measured in days and  is a positive constant.

Given, again, that the initial population is P0 and that time is measured in days,
(c) solve the second differential equation, giving P in terms of P0,  and t. (4)
Given also that  = 2.5,
(d) find the time taken, to the nearest minute, for the population to reach 2P0 for the first time, using
the improved model. (3)

C4S07Q8 ANS: (a) P = P0 e kt (b) 399 min or 6 h 39 min (c) P = P0 esin t (d) 441 min or 7 hr 21 min

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