FDE QUESTIONS

Separable Equations:

Prob.1 A circular metal radiator pipe has inner radius R1 and outer radius R2 (R2 > R1). When
operating under steady conditions the radial temperature distribution T(r) in the metal wall of the
pipe is known to be a solution of the ordinary differential equation.
𝑑2 𝑇 𝑑𝑇
𝑟 2+ =0
𝑑𝑟 𝑑𝑟
Find the radial temperature distribution in the pipe wall whenthe inner surface is maintained at a
constant temperature T1 and the outer surface is maintained at a constant temperature T2.

𝑑𝑃 𝑑𝑉
Prob.2 For an adiabatic expansion of a gas 𝐶𝑣 + 𝐶𝑝 = 0 where Cp and Cv are constants.
𝑝 𝑉
𝐶𝑝
Given 𝑛 = , show that 𝑝𝑉 𝑛 = constant.
𝐶𝑣

Linear Differential Equations

dy
Prob.3 Solve a differential equation (x 3 − x) dx − (3x 2 − 1)y = x 5 − 2x 3 + x

Prob.4 Suppose that there is a factory built upstream of Lake Mendota (volume 0.5 km3) which
introduces a new pollutant to a stream which pumps 1 km3 of water into the lake every year.
Suppose that the net outflow from the lake is also 1 km3 per year and that the concentration of
the pollutant in the inflow stream is 200 kg/km3. Set up an initial value problem for the amount
of pollutant in the lake and solve it. Assuming there is initially no pollutant in the lake, how
much pollutant is there in one month? What is the limiting pollutant level?

Exact Differential Equations:

𝑥 𝑥
𝑥 𝑑𝑦
Prob.5 Solve the equation: (1 + 𝑒 𝑦 ) + 𝑒 𝑦 (1 − 𝑦) 𝑑𝑥 = 0
Solution by Substitution

Prob.6 Solve the equation: 7𝑥(𝑥 − 𝑦)𝑑𝑦 = 2(𝑥 2 + 6𝑥𝑦 − 5𝑦 2 )𝑑𝑥 given that x =1 when y=0.

𝑑𝑦
Prob.7 Show that the solution of the differential equation: 𝑥 2 − 3𝑦 2 + 2𝑥𝑦 𝑑𝑥 = 0 is:
𝑦 = 𝑥 √(8𝑥 + 1) given that y=3 when x =1.

Solution Curves without a solution

𝑑𝑦
Prob.8 (a) Consider the direction field of the differential equation 𝑑𝑥 = 𝑥(𝑦 − 4)2 − 2. Describe
the slopes of the lineal elements on the lines x=0, y= 3, y=4, and y=5.

𝑑𝑦
(b) Consider the IVP 𝑑𝑥 = 𝑥(𝑦 − 4)2 − 2 , y(0) = y0 where y0 < 4. Can a solution y(x) →∞ as
x→∞.Based on the information in part (a), discuss.

𝑑𝑦
Prob.9 For a first-order DE 𝑑𝑥 = 𝑓 (𝑥, 𝑦) , a curve in the plane defined by 𝑓 (𝑥, 𝑦) = 0 is called
a nullcline of the equation, since a lineal element at a point on the curve has zero slope. Use
𝑑𝑦
computer software to obtain a direction field over a rectangular grid of points for 𝑑𝑥 = 𝑥 2 − 2𝑦,
1
and then superimpose the graph of the nullcline 𝑦 = 2 𝑥 2 over the direction field. Discuss the
1 1
behavior of solution curves in regions of the plane defined by 𝑦 < 2 𝑥 2 and by 𝑦 < 2 𝑥 2 . Sketch
some approximate solution curves. Try to generalize your observations.

LINEAR MODEL
1. Differential equation describing the velocity 𝑣 of a falling mass subject to air resistance
proportional to the instantaneous velocity is
𝑑𝑣
𝑚 = 𝑚𝑔 − 𝑘𝑣
𝑑𝑡
where 𝑘 > 0 is a constant of proportionality called the drag coefficient. The positive
direction is downward.
(a) Solve the equation subject to the initial condition 𝑣(0) = 𝑣0 .
(b) Use the solution in part (a) to determine the limiting, or terminal, velocity of the mass.
(Hint: Terminal velocity is the velocity at 𝑡 → ∞ )
(c) If the distance s, measured from the point where the mass was released above ground,
𝑑𝑠
is related to velocity 𝑣 by 𝑑𝑡 = 𝑣, find an explicit expression for 𝑠(𝑡) if 𝑠(0) = 0.

2. A dead body was found within a closed room of a house where the temperature was a
constant 70°F. At the time of discovery, the core temperature of the body was determined
to be 85°F. One hour later a second measurement showed that the core temperature of the
body was 80°F. Assume that the time of death corresponds to 𝑡 = 0 and that the core
 temperature at that time was 98.6°F. Determine how many hours elapsed before the body
was found.

NON-LINEAR MODEL

3. A tank in the form of a right circular cylinder standing on end is leaking water through a
circular hole in its bottom. When friction and contraction of water at the hole are ignored,
the height h of water in the tank is described by
𝑑ℎ 𝐴ℎ
=− √2𝑔ℎ
𝑑𝑡 𝐴𝑤
where 𝐴𝑤 and 𝐴ℎ are the cross-sectional areas of the water and the hole, respectively.
(a) Solve for ℎ(𝑡) if the initial height of the water is H. By hand, sketch the graph of ℎ(𝑡)
and give its interval I of definition in terms of the symbols 𝐴𝑤 , 𝐴ℎ , 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝐻. Use 𝑔 =
32 𝑓𝑡/𝑠 2 .
(b) Suppose the tank is 10 ft high and has radius 2 ft and the circular hole has radius 12 in.
If the tank is initially full, how long will it take to empty?
Hint: Use all units in FPS system.
4. A small cosmic body starts to fall to Earth from rest under the action of gravitational force.
The initial distance to the centre of the Earth is equal to L. Determine the velocity of the
drop.
𝑑2𝑟 𝐺𝑀𝐸
2
=− 2
𝑑𝑡 𝑟
𝐻𝑒𝑟𝑒 𝑀𝐸 = 𝑀𝑎𝑠𝑠 𝑜𝑓 𝑒𝑎𝑟𝑡ℎ
𝑟 = 𝐷𝑖𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑐𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝑐𝑜𝑠𝑚𝑖𝑐 𝑏𝑜𝑑𝑦 𝑓𝑟𝑜𝑚 𝑒𝑎𝑟𝑡ℎ′ 𝑠 𝑐𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑟𝑒
𝐺 = 𝐺𝑟𝑎𝑣𝑖𝑡𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛𝑎𝑙 𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑡
And initial condition: 𝑣(𝑟 = 𝐿) = 0
𝐺𝑀
Substitute 𝑔 = 𝑟 2𝐸 at the end.
𝑑𝑟 𝑑𝑣 𝑑𝑣 𝑑𝑟 𝑑𝑣
Hint: Take 𝑑𝑡 = 𝑣, and 𝑑𝑡 = 𝑑𝑟 𝑑𝑡 = 𝑣 𝑑𝑟

MODELING WITH SYSTEMS OF FIRST-ORDER DEs

5. Three large tanks contain brine, as shown in FIGURE. Use the information in the figure to
construct a mathematical model for the number of pounds of salt 𝑥1 (𝑡), 𝑥2 (𝑡), and 𝑥3 (𝑡) at
time t in tanks A, B, and C, respectively. Without solving the system, predict limiting
values of 𝑥1 (𝑡), 𝑥2 (𝑡), and 𝑥3 (𝑡) as 𝑡 → ∞.
6. A communicable disease is spread throughout a small community, with a fixed population
of n people, by contact between infected individuals and people who are susceptible to the
disease. Suppose initially that everyone is susceptible to the disease and that no one leaves
the community while the epidemic is spreading. At time t, let 𝑠(𝑡), 𝑖(𝑡), 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑟(𝑡) denote,
in turn, the number of people in the community (measured in hundreds) who are
susceptible to the disease but not yet infected with it, the number of people who are
infected with the disease, and the number of people who have recovered from the disease.
Explain why the system of differential equations

where 𝑘1 (called the infection rate) and 𝑘2 (called the removal rate) are positive constants,
is a reasonable mathematical model, commonly called a SIR model, for the spread of the
epidemic throughout the community. Give plausible initial conditions associated with this
system of equations. Show that the system implies that

Why is this consistent with the assumptions?

Solutions:

Sol.1
Setting 𝑢 = 𝑑𝑇/𝑑𝑟 the equation becomes the separable equation

𝑑𝑢 𝑑𝑢 𝑑𝑟
𝑟 𝑑𝑟 + 𝑢 = 0 and so =
𝑢 𝑟

From which it follows that

ln 𝑢 = − ln 𝑟 + ln 𝐴

Where for convenience the arbitrary integration constant has been written ln. Thus ur = A, so
after substituting for u and again separating variables we have
𝑑𝑇 𝐴
=
𝑑𝑟 𝑟
A final integration gives the general solution
𝑇(𝑟 ) = 𝐴𝑙𝑛 𝑟 + 𝐵,
Where B is another arbitrary integration constant. Matching the arbitrary constants A and B to the
required conditions T (R1) = T1 and T (R2) = T2 then gives the required solution

𝑅2 𝑟
𝑇1 ln ( ) + 𝑇2 ln( )
𝑟 𝑅1
𝑇(𝑟) =
𝑅
ln(𝑅2 )
1

Sol.2
Sol.3

Sol.4
Sol.5
Sol.6
Sol.7

Sol.8
Sol.9

ANSWERS

LINEAR MODEL
Ans 1.

Ans 2.
From Newton’s law of cooling
𝑑𝑇
= 𝑘(𝑇 − 70)
𝑑𝑡
∴ 𝑇(𝑡) = 70 + 𝑐𝑒 𝑘𝑡
At t = 0, T = 98.6 °F
∴ 98.6 = 70 + 𝑐
𝑐 = 28.6
So,
𝑇(𝑡) = 70 + 28.6𝑒 𝑘𝑡
At t=t, T= 85 °F
∴ 85 = 70 + 28.6𝑒 𝑘𝑡
ln 0.5244 = 𝑘𝑡
𝑘𝑡 = −0.6453
At t=t+1, T=80 °F
∴ 80 = 70 + 28.6𝑒 𝑘(𝑡+1)
𝑘(𝑡 + 1) = −1.051
𝑡+1 1.051
So 𝑡
= 0.645
𝑡 = 1.588 ≈ 1.6 ℎ𝑟
 NON-LINEAR MODEL
Ans 3.

Ans 4.

𝑑 2 𝑟 𝑑𝑣 𝑑𝑣
2
= =𝑣
𝑑𝑡 𝑑𝑡 𝑑𝑟
𝑑𝑣 𝐺𝑀𝐸
∴𝑣 =− 2
𝑑𝑟 𝑟
𝑑𝑟 𝑑𝑟 𝑣2 𝐺𝑀𝐸
Integrating 𝑣𝑑𝑣 = −𝐺𝑀𝐸 2
, => ∫ 𝑣𝑑𝑣 = −𝐺𝑀𝐸 ∫ => = + 𝐶1
𝑟 𝑟2 2 𝑟
2𝐺𝑀𝐸
∴𝑣=√ + 𝐶1
𝑟
From initial condition
2𝐺𝑀𝐸 2𝐺𝑀𝐸 1 1
0=√ + 𝐶1 => 𝐶1 = − => 𝑣 = √2𝐺𝑀𝐸 ( − )
𝐿 𝐿 𝑟 𝐿
1 1
So velocity when it will hit the ground, 𝑣(𝑟 = 𝑅𝐸 ) = √2𝐺𝑀𝐸 (𝑅 − 𝐿) =
𝐸

𝑅𝐸
√2𝑔𝑅𝐸 (1 − )
𝐿
 MODELING WITH SYSTEMS OF FIRST-ORDER DEs
Ans 5.

Ans 6.