1.

3 Qualitative Technique: Slope Fields 47

a resistor in parallel with the other resistor. Let R L be the resistance that is due solely
to the lamp, then it can be shown that the differential equation that governs vc over the
time interval To < t < To + Tc is
 
dvc K R + RL
= − vc .
dt RC R RL C
Note that increased resistance due to the lamp causes vc to decrease faster than it in-
creased when the switch was open.
The light switch remains closed over the interval To < t < To + Tc , and we
pick Tc so that vc (To + Tc ) = v0 . In other words, we pick Tc so that the voltage vc
is periodic with period To + Tc (see Figure 1.30). For this example, the slope field is
discontinuous along infinitely many vertical lines, that is, the lines t = To , t = To + Tc ,
t = 2To + Tc , t = 2(To + Tc ), . . . (see Figure 1.30).
vc Figure 1.30
v1 The graph of the solution and its
corresponding slope field for the flashing
light example in the case where R = 0.5,
v0 R L = 0.25, C = 1, and K = 2.5. In this
case, we have made To = 1 and Tc = 0.7, so
t the solution is periodic with period 1.7.
To + Tc 2(To + Tc )

Combining Qualitative with Quantitative Results

When only knowledge of the qualitative behavior of the solution is required, sketches
of solutions obtained from slope fields can sometimes suffice. In other applications
it is necessary to know the exact value (or almost exact value) of the solution with a
given initial condition. In these situations analytic and/or numerical methods can’t be
avoided. But even then, it is nice to have graphs of the solutions.

EXERCISES FOR SECTION 1.3

In Exercises 1–6, sketch the slope fields for the differential equation as follows:
(a) Pick a few points (t, y) with both −2 ≤ t ≤ 2 and −2 ≤ y ≤ 2 and plot the
associated slope marks without the use of technology.
Nota: a) Hacer a mano. (b) Use HPGSolver to check these individual slope marks.
b) y c) Usar y comparar con (c) Make a more detailed drawing of the slope field and then use HPGSolver to con-
2D ODE grapher o similar. firm your answer.
For more details about HPGSolver and other programs that are part of the DETools
package, see the description of DETools inside the front cover of this book.
dy dy dy
1. = t2 + t 2. = t2 + 1 3. = 1 − 2y
dt dt dt
dy dy dy
4. = 4y 2 5. = 2y(1 − y) 6. = y+t +1
dt dt dt

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48 CHAPTER 1 First-Order Differential Equations

In Exercises 7–10, a differential equation and its associated slope field are given. For
each equation,
(a) sketch a number of different solutions on the slope field, and
(b) describe briefly the behavior of the solution with y(0) = 1/2 as t increases.
You should first answer these exercises without using any technology, and then you
should confirm your answer using HPGSolver.

dy dy
7. = 3y(1 − y) 8. = 2y − t
dt dt
y y
2
2

1
1

t
t −2 −1 1 2
−2 −1 1 2

−1 −1

−2 −2

dy  dy
9. = y + 12 (y + t) 10. = (t + 1)y
dt dt
y y

2 2

1 1

t t
−2 −1 1 2 −2 −1 1 2

−1 −1

−2 −2

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 1.3 Qualitative Technique: Slope Fields 49

11. Suppose we know that the function f (t, y) is continuous and that f (t, 3) = −1 for
all t.
(a) What does this information tell us about the slope field for the differential equa-
tion dy/dt = f (t, y)?
(b) What can we conclude about solutions y(t) of dy/dt = f (t, y)? For example,
if y(0) < 3, can y(t) → ∞ as t increases?

12. Suppose the constant function y(t) = 2 for all t is a solution of the differential equa-
tion
dy
= f (t, y).
dt
(a) What does this tell you about the function f (t, y)?
(b) What does this tell you about the slope field? In other words, how much of the
slope field can you sketch using this information?
(c) What does this tell you about solutions with initial conditions y(0)  = 2?

13. Suppose we know that the graph to the right f (t)

is the graph of the right-hand side f (t) of
the differential equation
dy t
= f (t).
dt
Give a rough sketch of the slope field that
corresponds to this differential equation.

14. Suppose we know that the graph to the right f (y)

is the graph of the right-hand side f (y) of
the differential equation
dy
= f (y). y
dt
Give a rough sketch of the slope field that
corresponds to this differential equation.

15. Consider the autonomous differential equation

dS
= S 3 − 2S 2 + S.
dt
(a) Make a rough sketch of the slope field without using any technology.
(b) Using this drawing, sketch the graphs of the solutions S(t) with the initial con-
ditions S(0) = 1/2, S(1) = 1/2, S(0) = 1, S(0) = 3/2, and S(0) = −1/2.
(c) Confirm your answer using HPGSolver.

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50 CHAPTER 1 First-Order Differential Equations

16. Eight differential equations and four slope fields are given below. Determine the
equation that corresponds to each slope field and state briefly how you know your
choice is correct. You should do this exercise without using technology.
dy dy dy dy
(i) = y 2 + y (ii) = y 2 − y (iii) = y 3 + y 2 (iv) = 2 − t2
dt dt dt dt
dy dy dy dy
(v) = t y + t y 2 (vi) = t 2 + t 2 y (vii) = t + t y (viii) = t2 − 2
dt dt dt dt

(a) y (b) y

2 2

1 1

t t
−2 −1 1 2 −2 −1 1 2

−1 −1

−2 −2
(c) y (d) y

2 2

1 1

t t
−2 −1 1 2 −2 −1 1 2

−1 −1

−2 −2

17. Suppose we know that the graph below is the graph of a solution to dy/dt = f (t).

(a) How much of the slope field can y

you sketch from this information? y(0) = 1
[Hint: Note that the differential
equation depends only on t.]
t
(b) What can you say about the solu-
tion with y(0) = 2? (For example,
can you sketch the graph of this so-
lution?)

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 1.3 Qualitative Technique: Slope Fields 51

18. Suppose we know that the graph below is the graph of a solution to dy/dt = f (y).

(a) How much of the slope field can y

you sketch from this information?
[Hint: Note that the equation is au- y(0) = 3
tonomous.]
(b) What can you say about the solu-
tion with y(0) = 2? Sketch this
solution. t

19. The spiking of a neuron can be modeled∗ by the differential equation

dθ
= 1 − cos θ + (1 + cos θ )I (t),
dt
where I (t) is the input. Often the input function I (t) is a constant I . When θ is an
odd multiple of π , the neuron spikes.
(a) Using HPGSolver, sketch three slope fields, one for each of the following
values of I : I1 = −0.1, I2 = 0.0, and I3 = 0.1.
(b) Calculate the equilbrium solutions for each of these three values.
(c) Using the slope field, describe the long-term behavior of the solutions in each
of the three cases.

20. By separating variables, find the general solution of the differential equation
dvc vc
=− ,
dt RC
where R and C are constants. Then check your answer by substituting it back into
the differential equation.
21. By separating variables, find the general solution of the differential equation
dvc K − vc
= ,
dt RC
where R, C, and K are constants. Then check your answer by substituting it back
into the differential equation.
22. By separating variables, find the solution of the initial-value problem
dvc V (t) − vc
= , vc (0) = 6
dt RC
where R = 0.5, C = 1.0, and V (t) is the function that is constantly 3 for t < 3
and 0 for t > 3. Then check your answer by substituting it back into the differential
equation. [Hint: Do this exercise in two steps. First, solve the equation for t ≤ 3.
Then use the value vc (3) to state another initial-value problem.]
∗ This model is often referred to as the theta model, but it is also called the Ermentrout-Kopell canonical
model. See “Parabolic bursting in an excitable system coupled with a slow oscillation” by G. B. Ermentrout
and N. Kopell, in SIAM J. Applied Math, Vol. 44, 1984, pp. 1133–1149.

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Editorial review has deemed that any suppressed content does not materially affect the overall learning experience. Cengage Learning reserves the right to remove additional content at any time if subsequent rights restrictions require it.
756 Hints and Answers for Chapter 1

5. (a) separable 23. w(t) = kt for t  = 0, where k is any real number.

(b) y(t) = −3/(t 3 + k), where k is any real number, (The differential equation is not defined at t = 0.)
√
along with the equilibrium solution y(t) = 0 for 25. x(t) = e−t /2 / π
2

all t.
27. y(t) = 1/(t + 2)
7. y(t) = ke2t − 1/2, where k is any real number
29. y(t) = 0
9. y(t) = ln(t + c), where c is any real number
31. y(t) = 7e2t /2 − 1/2
11. (a) separable 
33. x(t) = − 4 + (2/3) ln(t 3 + 1)
(b) y(t) = −1/(t 2 + 3t + k), where k is any real
number, along with the equilibrium solution 35. y(t) = tan(t 2 /2 + π/4)
y(t) = 0 for all t.
  37. y(t) = −1/(t 2 + t 3 − 1)

13. y(t) = ± ln k(t 2 + 1) , where k is any positive 39. (a) Amount of salt ≈ 0.238 lbs
real number. The choice of sign is determined by (b) Amount of salt ≈ 1.58 lbs
the initial condition. (c) Amount of salt ≈ 2.49 lbs
 √ 
15. y(t) = −1 ± 4t + c /2, where c is any real (d) Amount of salt ≈ 2.50 lbs
number. The plus or minus sign is determined by (e) Amount of salt ≈ 2.50 lbs
the initial condition.
41. (a) The initial-value problem is
17. y(t) = ket /(ket + 1), where k is any real number,
along with the equilibrium solution y(t) = 1 for dT
= −0.2(T − 70), T (0) = 170.
all t. Note that this is a special case of the logistic dt
equation with growth-rate parameter 1 and carrying (b) t = (ln 0.4)/ − 0.2 ≈ 4.6
capacity 1.  √
mg Ce2 (kg/m) t − 1
19. v(t) = −1 + ke−2t+t
3 /3
, where k is any real number 43. (a) v(t) = √
k Ce2 (kg/m) t + 1

mg
21. y 2 /2 + ln |y| = et + c, where c is any real number, (b)
along with the equilibrium solution y(t) = 0 for k
all t.

Hints and Answers for Section 1.3

1. y 3. y
2 2

1 1

t t
−2 −1 1 2 −2 −1 1 2
−1 −1

−2 −2

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Editorial review has deemed that any suppressed content does not materially affect the overall learning experience. Cengage Learning reserves the right to remove additional content at any time if subsequent rights restrictions require it.
 Hints and Answers for Chapter 1 757

5. y 13. y

t t
−2 −1 1 2
−1

−2

y 15. S
7. (a)
2 2

1 1

t
t −2 −1 1 2
−2 −1 1 2
−1
−1

S
−2
2
(b) The solution approaches the equilibrium value
y = 1 from below. 1
9. (a) y
t
2 −2 −1 1 2
−1
1

t 17. (a) We can sketch the slope field on the entire

−2 −1 1 2 t y-plane.
−1 (b) Translate the graph of the given solution up so
that it goes through the point (0, 2).
−2 y
y(0) = 2
(b) y(t) → ∞ as t increases and as t decreases
11. (a) On the line y = 3 in the t y-plane, the slope
marks all have slope −1.
(b) No. Solutions with y(0) < 3 satisfy the t
inequality y(t) < 3 for all t > 0.

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Editorial review has deemed that any suppressed content does not materially affect the overall learning experience. Cengage Learning reserves the right to remove additional content at any time if subsequent rights restrictions require it.
758 Hints and Answers for Chapter 1

19. (a) I1 = −0.1 I3 = 0.1

θ θ

2 2

1 1

t
t −2 −1 1 2
−2 −1 1 2
−1
−1

(b) For I1 = −0.1, the equilibrium values are

θ = 2π n ± 0.613 radians, where n is any
I2 = 0.0 integer.
θ For I2 = 0.0, the equilibrium values are
θ = 0 + 2π n radians, where n is any integer.
2 For I3 = 0.1, there are no equilibrium values.
(c) If I1 = −0.1, θ → 2π n − 0.613 as t → ∞
1 for solutions between the successive equilib-
rium values 2π n − 0.613 and 2πn + 0.613.
t As t → −∞, θ → 2π n + 0.613. The re-
−2 −1 1 2 verse behavior occurs for solutions between
−1 2π(n − 1) + 0.613 and 2π n − 0.613.
If I2 = 0.0, θ → 2π(n + 1) as t → ∞ for solu-
tions between the successive equilibrium values
2π n and 2π(n + 1). As t → −∞, θ → 2π n.
If I3 = 0.1, θ → ∞ as t → ∞.
21. vc (t) = K + (v0 − K )e−t/RC where v0 = vc (0)

Hints and Answers for Section 1.4

1. Selected approximate values: y1 = 6.5, y2 = 13.5, 3. Selected approximate values: y1 = 0.56, y2 = 0.39,
and y4 = 55.5. and y8 = −2.69.
y
y
60
50 1
40 t
30 0.5 1 1.5 2
−1
20
10 −2
t −3
0.5 1 1.5 2

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Editorial review has deemed that any suppressed content does not materially affect the overall learning experience. Cengage Learning reserves the right to remove additional content at any time if subsequent rights restrictions require it.