Method For solving linear equations (a) Write the equation in the standard form

(b) Calculate the integrating factor u(x) by the formula

(c) Multiply the equation in standard form by u(x) and, recalling that the left-hand side is just , obtain

(d) Integrate the last equation and solve for y by dividing by u(x) to obtain Problem 1 A rock contains two radioactive isotopes, RA1 and RA2, that belong to the same radioactive series; that is RA1, decays into RA2, which then decays into stable atoms. Assume that the rate at which RA1 decays into RA2 is kg/sec. Because the rate of decay of RA2 is proportional to the mass y(t) of RA2 present, the rate of change in RA2 is

where k>0 is the decay constant. If k = 2/secand initially y(0) = 40kg, find the mass y(t) of RA2 for t0.

Solution Since equation (1) is linear, so we begin by writing it in standard form

Given k = 2 and initial y(0) = 40, Substitute k=2 into equation (2) and displayed the initial condition.

From equation (3), P(t) = 2,

Multiplying equation (3) by

Integrating both sides,

Then solve the equation for y,

Given y(0) = 40 and substituting t =0,

So C =

. Thus, the mass y(t) of RA2 at time t is given by