HW #3 Solutions

Math 181, Fall 2019

Instructor: Dr. Doreen De Leon
1. Find all (x0 , y0 ) for which the Existence and Uniqueness Theorem implies that the initial
value problem y 0 = f (x, y), y(x0 ) = y0 has

(a) a solution; and

(b) a unique solution

on some open interval that contains x0 , where

1
f (x, y) = (1 − x2 − y 2 ) 2 .

Solution:

(a) Notice that f (x, y) is continuous for all (x, y) for which

1 − x2 − y 2 ≥ 0,

or all (x, y) such that

x2 + y 2 ≤ 1.
Therefore, the initial value problem y 0 = f (x, y), y(x0 ) = y0 has a solution for all (x0 , y0 )
where x20 + y02 ≤ 1.
(b) We see that
−y
fy (x, y) = 1 ,
(1 − x2 − y 2 ) 2
which is continuous for all (x, y) such that 1 − x2 − y 2 > 0, or x2 + y 2 < 1. Therefore,
the initial value problem y 0 = f (x, y), y(x0 ) = y0 has a unique solution on some interval
that contains x0 for all (x0 , y0 ) such that x20 + y02 < 1.

2. Section 2.3: 17. Consider the initial value problem

1
y 0 = 3x(y − 1) 3 , y(x0 ) = y0 . (1)

(a) For what by points (x0 , y0 ) does Theorem 2.3.1 imply that (1) has a solution?
(b) For what by points (x0 , y0 ) does Theorem 2.3.1 imply that (1) has a unique solution on
some open interval that contains x0 ?

Solution:

(a) Here,
1
f (x, y) = 3x(y − 1) 3 ,
which is continuous for all x ∈ R and all y ∈ R. Therefore, there is a solution for all
(x0 , y0 ).

1
 (b) Since
2
fy (x, y) = x(y − 1)− 3 ,
which is continuous for all x ∈ R and all y 6= 1, we see that there is a unique solution
on some open interval containing x0 for all (x0 , y0 ) 6= (x0 , 1).
x2
3. (a) Verify that y1 (x) = 1 − x and y2 (x) = − are solutions of the initial value problem
4
p
0 −x + x2 + 4y
y = , y(2) = −1.
2
(b) Explain why the existence of two solutions of the given problem does not contradict the
applicable Existence-Uniqueness Theorem.
(c) Show that y(x) = cx + c2 , where c ∈ R, solves the differential equation in part (a) for
x ≥ −2c. If c = −1, then the initial condition is also satisfied. Show that there is no
choice of c for which we obtain the second solution.
Solution:
(a) We can do this part by direct substitution. For y1 (x), we have y10 (x) = −1, so plugging
into the DE gives
p
−x + x2 + 4(1 − x)
−1 =
√ 2
−x + x2 − 4x + 4
=
p2
−x + (x − 2)2
=
2
−x + (x − 2)
= = −1. X
2
x
Similarly, y20 (x) = − , so we have
2
√
x −x + x2 + −x2
− =
2 2
−x
= .X
2
(b) For the given problem, p
−x + x2 + 4y
f (x, y) = ,
2
which is continuous if x2 + 4y ≥ 0. Since x0 = 2 and y0 = −1, we do have that
x20 + 4y0 = 0, so a solution is guaranteed to exist. However, notice that

− 1
fy (x, y) = x2 + 4y 2
,

which is continuous only if x2 + 4y > 0. Since (x0 , y0 ) = (2, −1) is not in the rectangle
defined by this equation, the hypotheses of the Existence-Uniqueness Theorem are not
satisfied.

2
 (c) We verify the solution by substitution. Since y 0 (x) = c, we have
p
−x + x2 + 4(cx + c2 )
c=
√ 2
−x + x2 + 4cx + 4c2
=
p 2
−x + (x + 2c)2
=
2
−x + (x + 2c)
= if x + 2c ≥ 0, or x ≥ −2c
2
= c. X
p
Note that if x + 2c < 0, then (x + 2c)2 = −(x + 2c). In this case, we do not obtain a
solution because the right-hand side would be −2x − 2c 6= 2c.
x2
Finally, since y(x) = cx+c2 , a linear polynomial, it is not possible to obtain y2 (x) = − ,
4
a quadratic, from any choice of c.

4. Consider the initial value problem

x2 y 0 − y 2 = 0, y(1) = 1.

(a) Find the largest open rectangle in the xy-plane in which the hypotheses of the Existence
and Uniqueness Theorem are satisfied.
(b) A solution of the initial value problem is y(x) = x, which exists for all x ∈ (−∞, ∞).
Does this contradict the Existence and Uniqueness Theorem? Explain.

Solution:

(a) Rewriting the differential equation as

y2
y0 = ,
x2
we see that
y2
f (x, y) =
,
x2
which is continuous for −∞ < x < 0 and 0 < x < ∞ and for all y ∈ (−∞, ∞). And,
2y
fy (x, y) = ,
x2
which is continuous over the same intervals. Since x0 = 1 ∈ (0, ∞), the largest open
rectangle in the plane for which the hypotheses of the Existence and Uniqueness Theorem
are satisfied is (0, ∞) × (−∞, ∞).
(b) No. The theorem tells us over what interval a solution is guaranteed to exist. This does
not mean that a solution cannot exist over a larger interval.

Note: The solution is not unique at x = 0, but this question is only referring to
existence.

3
5. Consider the initial value problem

y 0 = 2y 2 , y(0) = y0 .

For what value(s) of y0 will the solution have a vertical asymptote at t = 4 and a t-interval
of existence −∞ < t < 4?
Solution: Note that since f (t, y) = 2y 2 is continuous for all t, y, we expect that this equation
has a unique solution on some subinterval of the real line. Note that in order to find a general
solution, we need to divide by y 2 , which we can only do if y 6= 0. Since y = 0 is an equilibrium
solution that does not satisfy the requisite conditions, we will assume that y 6= 0 and solve
by separation of variables.

• General solution:
Z Z
1 0
y dx = 2 dt
y2
1
− = 2t + c1 (c1 ∈ R)
y
1
= −2t − c1 = −2t + c (c ∈ R)
y
1
y= .
−2t + c
• Find c: We have
1 1
y0 = y(0) = =⇒ c = .
c y0
Therefore, the solution of the IVP is only defined if y0 6= 0 (which makes sense, because if
y0 = 0, then y(t) = 0), and is given by
1
y(t) = 1 ,
−2t + y0

or
y0
y(t) = .
−2ty0 + 1
For this function to have a vertical asymptote at t = 4, we need the denominator to be 0 at
t = 4, so we need
1
−2(4)y0 + 1 = 0 =⇒ y0 = .
8
So,
1
8
1
y(t) = 1 = .
−2t 8 + 1 8 − 2t
The solution is defined for −∞ < t < 4 and 4 < t < ∞. However, since t0 = 0 ∈ (−∞, 4),
the t-interval of existence of the solution is (−∞, 4), as required.

6. The solution of y 0 = f (y), y(0) = 2 is known to be

t
y(t) = √ .
1 + t2

4
 Let y(t) represent the solution of the initial value problem y 0 = f (y), y(1) = 2. What is y(0)?
Solution: This equation is autonomous, and by the theorem given in class, the solution y(t)
is given by
t−1
y(t) = y(t − t0 ) = p ,
1 + (t − 1)2
or
t−1
y(t) = √ .
2 − 2t + t2
Therefore,
√
1 2
y(0) = − √ = − .
2 2

7. Section 4.1: 15. A wizard creates gold continuously at the rate of 1 ounce per hour, but
an assistant steals it continuously at the rate of 5% of however much there is per hour. Let
W (t) be the number of ounces that the wizard has at time t. Find W (t) and limt→∞ W (t) if
W (0) = 1.
Solution: The initial value problem modeling this is

W 0 (t) = 1 − 0.05W (t), W (0) = 1,

or
W 0 (t) + 0.05W (t) = 1, W (0) = 1.
This equation is linear, and we see that
R
0.05 dt
p(t) = 0.05 → µ(t) = e = e0.05t .

Multiplying both sides of the DE by µ(t) = e0.05t gives

e0.05t W 0 + 0.05e0.05t W = e0.05t

d 0.05t

e W = e0.05t
Z dt
d 0.05t

e W dt = e0.05t dt
dt
e0.05t W = 20e0.05t + c (c ∈ R)
W (t) = 20 + ce−0.05t .

Find c using the initial condition.

1 = W (0) = 20 + c =⇒ c = −19.

Therefore,
W (t) = 20 − 19e−0.05t ounces.
Then
lim W (t) = 20 ounces.
t→∞

5
8. (Related to Section 4.1.) Consider a chemical reaction of the form A + B → C, in which the
rates of change in the amounts of the reactants are given by

A0 = −kAB, B 0 = −kAB,

where k > 0. Assume that 5 moles of reactant A and 2 moles of reactant B are present
initially.

(a) Show that A(t) − B(t) is constant in time. What is this constant?
(b) Use the observations made in (a) to derive an initial value problem for the amount of
reactant A, A(t).

Solution:

(a) Since A0 = −kAB = B 0 , we see that

A0 − B 0 = 0 =⇒ (A − B)0 = 0.

Therefore, A − B = c, where c is a constant to be determined.

To find c, we use the initial conditions. We have

c = A(0) − B(0) = 5 − 2 = 3.

(b) Since A(t) − B(t) = 3, we see that B(t) = A(t) − 3, giving

A0 = −kA(A − 3).

The IVP for A(t) is then

A0 = −kA2 + 3kA, A(0) = 5. (2)

9. (Related to class notes on the logistic population model.) Consider a population modeled by
the logistic equation, with a constant migration rate of − 14 and for which r = K = 1. If the
initial population P (0) = 21 , then do the following.

(a) Determine the initial value problem modeling this.

(b) Determine the equilibrium populations.
(c) Solve the initial value problem, and determine lim P (t).
t→∞

Solution.

(a) The initial value problem modeling this is

dP 1 1
= P (1 − P ) − , P (0) = . (3)
dt 4 2
dP
(b) The equilibrium populations are found by setting dt = 0, giving

1
P (1 − P ) − = 0,
4

6
 o, multiplying by −1 and expanding,
1
P2 − P + = 0.
4
This gives
 2
1
P− = 0,
2
so
1
P (t) =
2
is the only equilibrium solution.
1
(c) Since the initial population P (0) = 2 is the equilibrium solution,

1
P (t) =
2
is the solution of the initial value problem. Therefore,
1
lim P (t) = .
t→∞ 2

10. Section 4.3: 7. A 96 lb weight is dropped from rest in a medium that exerts a resistive
force with magnitude proportional to the speed. Find its velocity as a function of time if its
terminal velocity is -128 ft/s.
Solution: As implied by the problem, we take up to be the positive direction. This means
that Fd and Fg are both point downward (or in the negative direction). We thus obtain the
initial value problem
mv 0 = −kv − mg, v(0) = 0.
Since we are dealing with the English system, m = 96/32 = 3 slugs and g = 32 ft/s2 . So, our
IVP is
3v 0 = −kv − 96, v(0) = 0.
Since the terminal velocity is −128 ft/s and at the terminal velocity, v 0 = 0, we may solve
the DE for k:

3(0) = −k(−128) − 96
128k = 96
3
k= .
4
The IVP is, thus,
3
3v 0 = − v − 96, v(0) = 0.
4
We may divide both sides of the DE by 3, giving
1
v 0 = − v − 32, v(0) = 0.
4

7
 We may solve the DE as a separable equation or a linear equation. I’ll solve it as a linear
equation. Rewrite the equation as
1
v 0 + v = −32.
4
1 1
R
The integrating factor is given by µ(t) = e 4 dv = e 4 t . Multiplying through by µ(t) and
integrating both sides with respect to t give the general solution.
1 1 1 1
e 4 t v 0 + e 4 t v = −32e 4 t
4
d  1t  1
e 4 v = −32e 4 t
Z dt Z
d  1t  1
e v dt = −32e 4 t dt
4
dt
1 1
e 4 t v = −128e 4 t + c (c ∈ R)
1
v(t) = −128 + ce− 4 t (c ∈ R).

Since v(0) = 0, we have 0 = v(0) = −128 + c, or c = 128. Therefore, the velocity at any time
t is given by
1
v(t) = −128 + 128e− 4 t ft/s.

11. (Related to class notes on elementary mechanics and Section 4.3.) We need to design a ballis-
tics chamber to decelerate test projectiles fired into it. Assume the resistive force encountered
by the projectile is proportional to the square of its velocity and neglect gravity. The cham-
ber is to be constructed so that the coefficient κ associated with the resistive forces is not
constant, but is a linearly increasing function of distance into the chamber. Let κ(x) = κ0 x,
where κ0 is a constant; the resistive force then has the form κ(x)v 2 = κ0 xv 2 . If we use time
t as the independent variable, Newton’s law of motion leads us to the differential equation
dv
m + κ0 xv 2 = 0, (4)
dt
dx
where v = .
dt
(a) Adopt distance x into the chamber as the new independent variable and rewrite (4) as
a first order equation in terms of the new independent variable.
(b) Determine the value κ0 if the chamber is to reduce the projectile velocity to 1% of its
incoming value within d units of distance.

Solution.

(a) Note that it makes sense to approach the problem this way, because we are given infor-
mation in terms of the distance the bullet has traveled into the chamber.
If we let v = v(x), then we obtain

dv dv dx dv
= · =v .
dt dx dt dx

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 Therefore, the model in terms of v(x) is given by

dv
mv + κ0 xv 2 = 0.
dx

(b) We wish to determine κ0 so that v(d) = 0.01v0 , where v0 = v(t = 0), but since v(t =
0) = v(x = 0), we have v(x = 0) = v0 , and so we have the IVP

dv
mv + κ0 xv 2 = 0, v(0) = v0 .
dx

dv
mv = −κ0 xv 2
dx
Note that if v = 0, then we cannot solve this equation using separation of variables
(although v = 0 is an equilibrium solution). So, assuming v 6= 0, we have

dv
m = −κ0 xv
Z dx Z
1 dv κ0
dx = − x dx
v dx m
κ0 2
ln |v| = − x + c1 (c1 ∈ R)
2m
κ0 2
v(x) = ce− 2m x .

Since v(0) = v0 , we find that c = v(0) = v0 , and so we obtain as the solution

κ0 2
v(x) = v0 e− 2m x .

Finally, since we need v(d) = 0.01v0 , we are solving

κ0 2
0.01v0 = v(d) = v0 e− 2m d
κ0 2
0.01 = e− 2m d
κ0 2
− d = ln(0.01).
2m
Therefore,
2m ln(0.01)
κ0 = − .
d2