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calculus pure time differential equations?

how would i write a pure tie differential equation for something that is increasing by the rate of 1000/(2+3t)^1.5, with an initial value of 1000?

and how would i know if this would continue to grow indefinitely?

1 Answer

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  • hfshaw
    Lv 7
    1 decade ago
    Favorite Answer

    Let N be the amount of the "something" that's increasing at the specified rate. Then:

    dN(t)/dt = 1000/(2+3t)^(3/2)

    This is a separable differential equation:

    dN(t) = 1000/(2+3t)^(3/2) dt

    Integrate it:

    N(t) - c = -2000/(3*sqrt(2+3t))

    Where c is a constant of integration that must be determined from the initial condition. Now use that condition to solve for c (i.e., plug in the value N(0) = 1000, and solve for c):

    1000 + 2000/(3*sqrt(2)) = c

    c = 1000*(1+(sqrt(2))/3)

    N(t) = 1000*(1+(sqrt(2))/3) -2000/(3*sqrt(2+3t))

    As t - infinity, the second term on the right hand side goes to zero, so N(t) is bounded, and approaches the limit, 1000*(1+(sqrt(2))/3).

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