Separable D.E.’s  -  Growth and Decay Applications                                

 

1.

 

 

In a Nut Shell:  There are several mathematical models to represent growth and decay.

Two of the simpler ones are given below.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2.

 

Differential equation involving “growth”

  

                 dy/dt   =    K y   ;  here rate of change of  y  is proportional to itself

 

    subject to    y(0)  =  yo     which represents the initial condition of y  at  t = 0

 

                K  =  proportionality constant

 

Applications:   a.  population growth

                          b.  annual rate (income)

 

                  dy/y   =  K dt   (separate variables   y  and  t  and  integrate)

 

               ln y  =  K t  +  C1    ,    C1     is the constant of integration

 

                  y  =  e Kt + C1     =   C e Kt

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3.

 

 

 

 

Differential equation involving “decay”  (negative growth)

 

                 dy/dt   =   - K y   ;  here rate of change of y  is proportional to its

 

    subject to    y(0)  =  yo     which represents the initial condition of y  at  t = 0

 

                K  =  proportionality constant

i.e.

                K  =  decay constant          

                K  =   sales decay constant

                K  =  drug elimination constant

 

Applications:   a.  radioactive decay  (radiocarbon dating)

                          b.  annual rate (income)

 

                  dy/y   =  - K dt   (separate variables   y  and  t  and  integrate)

 

               ln y  =  - K t  +  C1    ,    C1     is the constant of integration

 

                  y  =  e -Kt + C1     =  C e –Kt

 



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