Virtual Learning Environment - New Era University

College of Engineering and Architecture

Applications: Growth and Decay, and Geometric Problems

Luzale D. Henson, R.E.E., M.B.A.,Ph.D.

 Applications: Growth and Decay and
Geometric Problems
LEARNING OUTCOMES
When you have completed this chapter, you will be able to:

1. Categorize application problems by type

2. Apply the principles necessary for each type of problem to derive
the necessary formulas and applications
Population Growth and Decay

Certain substances decompose (exponential decay) at

a rate proportional to its amount at any instant. On
the opposite process, certain colony or population
may increase (exponential growth) at a rate which
varies directly at its number at any time. These
problems can be modeled using differential
equations.
Recall previous math concepts:
1. Variable y is proportional to variable x if y = k x, where k is
called proportionality constant.
2. Given a function P(t), where P is a function of time t, the
rate of change of P with respect to time t is given by
dP
= P (t )
dt
dP
= P (t )  0
3. P(t) is increasing over an interval if dt

dP
= P (t )  0
4. P(t) is decreasing over an interval if dt
5. P(t) is neither increasing nor decreasing over an interval if
dP
= P (t ) = 0
dt
.
1. Exponential Growth Model
When a population grows exponentially, it grows
at a rate that is proportional to its size at any time t.

Suppose the variable P(t) represents the population at any time t

and if we let 𝑃𝑜 be the initial population at time t = 0, that is,
P(t) = 𝑃𝑜 .

Then if the population grows exponentially, we can say that,

Rate of change of population at time t = k (Current population at time t)

Mathematically, this can be written as
dP
= kP
dt

Solving for k,
1 dP
k=
P dt

The value k is known as the relative growth rate or

the proportionality constant.
The equation,
dP
= kP
dt
can be solved using separation of variables.
𝑑𝑃
= 𝑘𝑑𝑡 (Separate the variables)
𝑃
1
න 𝑑𝑃 = න𝑘𝑑𝑡 (Integrate both sides)
𝑃

ln 𝑃 = 𝑘𝑡 + 𝐶
𝑒 ln |𝑃| = 𝑒 𝑘𝑡+𝐶 (Raise both sides to 𝑒)

𝑃 = 𝑒 𝑘𝑡 𝑒 𝐶 (By inverse property 𝑒 ln 𝑘 = 𝑘 and

law of exponents 𝑏 𝑥+𝑦 = 𝑏 𝑥 𝑏 𝑦 )
𝑃 𝑡 = 𝐴𝑒 𝑘𝑡 (Replace constant ± 𝑒 𝐶 with 𝐴. )
The equation P(t ) = Ae kt represents the general
solution to the differential equation. Using the
initial condition P(0) = P0 , that is, at time
t=0, P = 𝑃𝑜
the particular solution is,
𝑃0 = 𝐴𝑒 𝑘(0) (Substitute 𝑡 = 0 in the equation and equate to 𝑃0 )
𝑃0 = 𝐴(1) (Note that 𝑒 𝑘(0) = 𝑒 0 = 1)
𝐴 = 𝑃0

Hence,
P (t ) = P0 e kt is the particular solution.
Template for exponential growth

dP
= kP, P(0) = P0
dt

Its particular solution is,

P (t ) = P0 e kt

where,
𝑃𝑜 = initial population at time t = 0,
k = relative growth rate that is constant
t = time the population grows.
P(t) = what the population grows to after time t.
Notes

1.When modeling a population with an exponential growth model, if

the relative growth rate k is unknown, it should be determined.
This is usually done using the known population at two particular
times (initial conditions).

2. Exponential growth models are good predictors for small

populations in large populations with abundant resources,
usually for relatively short time periods.
3. Graph is,
Example 1: If the population of the earth was found to
be 3.5 billion in 1970, and is increasing at a rate of 2%
per year, when will a population of 50 billion be
reached?
Solution: let k= 0.02
𝑑𝑃
= 𝑘𝑃 = 0.02 𝑃
𝑑𝑡
𝑑𝑃
= 0.02𝑑𝑡 Integrate
𝑃
ln 𝑃 = 0.02𝑡 + 𝐶
P = 𝑒 0.02𝑡+𝐶 = 𝑒 0.02𝑡 𝑒 𝐶 Get e of both sides

P = 𝐶𝑒 0.02𝑡
Example 1: (Cont’n…)

P = 𝐶𝑒 0.02𝑡 at t = 0, P = 3.5 billion

3.5 = 𝐶𝑒 0.02(0)
3.5 = 𝐶

P = 3.5 𝑒 0.02𝑡 setting P = 50 billion and solve for t

50/3.5 = 𝑒 0.02𝑡 get the ln of both sides

ln (50/3.5) = 0.02 t Solve for t

50
ln3.5
t= 0.02
= 133 years, the population will reach
50 billion in 2103 A.D.
2. Exponential Decay Model
When a population decays exponentially, it
decreases at a rate that is proportional to its size
at any time t. The model for exponential decay is

dP
= − kP, P (t ) = P0
dt
 1 dP
Here, k=− is called the relative decay constant
P dt

Note that k is positive

dP 1 dP
0 and k= −  0
dt  P dt

negative negative

Using separation of variables in a process similar to

exponential growth, it can be shown that the solution to
the initial value problem is .

P (t ) = P0 e − kt
Therefore,
The initial value problem for exponential decay
dP
= −kP, P(0) = P0
dt
has particular solution
𝑃(𝑡) = 𝑃0 𝑒 −𝑘𝑡
where

𝑃𝑜 = initial amount of the substance at time t = 0,

k = relative decay rate that is constant. Note that k > 0.
t = the time the substance decays.
P(t) = the amount of substance left after time t.
Notes
1.Many times the rate of decay is expressed in terms
of half-life, the time it takes for half of any given
quantity to decay so that only half of its original
amount remains.
2.Radioactive elements typically decay exponentially.
Example 2:
Bismuth-210 has a half-life of 5.0 days.
a. Suppose a sample originally has a mass of 800 mg. Find
a formula for the mass remaining after t days.
b. Find the mass remaining after 30 days.
c. When is the mass reduced to 1 mg.
Soln. let 𝑃𝑜 = 800 mg, after t days, P = 400 mg
𝑃 𝑡 = 𝑃0 𝑒 −𝑘𝑡
400 = 800 𝑒 −5𝑘
1/2 = 𝑒 −5𝑡 (get the ln of both sides)

ln 0.5 = −5𝑘
ln 0.5
=k
−5
ln 0.5
−( −5 ) 𝑡
𝑃 𝑡 = 800 𝑒
Example 2: (Cont’n…)
ln 0.5
𝑡
a. formula for the mass remaining after t days 𝑃 𝑡 = 800 𝑒 5

b. After 30 days,
ln 0.5
(30)
𝑃 𝑡 = 800 𝑒 5 = 12.5 𝑚𝑔

c. t when mass is reduced to 10 mg

ln 0.5
10 = 800 𝑒 5 𝑡
ln 0.5
10 𝑡
= 𝑒 5 (get the ln of both sides)
800

10 ln 0.5
ln = t
800 5

10
ln
800
ln 0.5 = t = 31.61 days
5
3. Geometric Problems
Example 3:
Find the equation of the curve passing through the point (x,y)
(3,-2) and having a slope at any point (x,y) equal to
𝑥2 + 𝑦2
𝑚𝑡 = 3
𝑦 − 2𝑥𝑦 (3, -2)
𝑑𝑦 2
𝑥 +𝑦 2
𝑚𝑡 = 𝑑𝑥 = 𝑦3 −2𝑥𝑦 (definition of slope)
Mdx + Ndy = 0 (General form)
(𝑦 3 −2𝑥𝑦)𝑑𝑦 = (𝑥 2 + 𝑦 2 ) 𝑑𝑥 (this is exact DE)
∂M ∂N
= 2𝑦 = (Integrate M and N)
∂y ∂x
3 𝑦4
‫ 𝑦(׬ = 𝑦𝑑𝑁 ׬‬−2𝑥𝑦)𝑑𝑦 = −4 + 2𝑥𝑦 2 /2 + g(x)
𝑥3
‫׬ = 𝑥𝑑𝑀 ׬‬ (𝑥 2 + 𝑦 2 )𝑑𝑥 = 3 + 𝑥𝑦 2 + f(y)
𝑥3 2 𝑦4
C= + 𝑥𝑦 − 4
3
Assignment:

1. A population of a small city had 3000 people in the year 2000 and has grown at a
rate proportional to its size. In the year 2005 the population was 3700.
a. Find an expression for the number of people in the city t years after the year 2000.
b. Estimate the population of the city in 2006. In 2010.
c. Find the rate of growth of the population in 2006.
d. Assuming the growth continues at the same rate, when will the town have 25000
people?

2. A certain radioactive material follows the law of exponential change and has a half
life of 38 hours. Find how long it takes for 90% of the radioactivity to be dissipated.

3. Find the equation of the curve, the slope of which is 4-2x, and which passes through
the point (2,6)