Scribd
Upload
25 views

7.1_Guided_Notes

This document introduces differential equations, emphasizing their role in modeling relationships involving rates of change, such as population growth and cooling coffee. It provides examples of writing differential equations and verifying solutions, along with exercises related to real-world scenarios like tracking grape juice depth in a winery. The document also discusses the concept of general and particular solutions, highlighting the importance of initial conditions in determining specific solutions.

Uploaded by

ellaflorentinemarin
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
25 views

7.1_Guided_Notes

This document introduces differential equations, emphasizing their role in modeling relationships involving rates of change, such as population growth and cooling coffee. It provides examples of writing differential equations and verifying solutions, along with exercises related to real-world scenarios like tracking grape juice depth in a winery. The document also discusses the concept of general and particular solutions, highlighting the importance of initial conditions in determining specific solutions.

Uploaded by

ellaflorentinemarin
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 4

Lesson 1: Introduction to Differential Equations

Topic 7.1: Modeling Situations with Differential Equations

Before studying calculus, when we solved equations containing numbers and variables, our solutions
were numbers. Now we will explore differential equations where our solution will be a function.
A differential equation is any equation that involves one or more derivatives of a function. These
equations describe relationships that involve rates of change.

Consider the following statement:


“The population, P, of your state is growing at an instantaneous rate of 3% of the population per year.”
𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑
The derivative of the population 𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑 = 0.03𝑃𝑃 is an example of a differential equation.

EX #1: Write a differential equation that describes each relationship stated below.

A. Alex and Tina have a new Maine Coon kitten named King Robert. Robert is gaining weight, w
at a rate that is inversely proportional to his age, t, in months.

B. Your cup of Starbite’s Peppermint Coffee is cooling at a rate that is proportional to the difference
between the room temperature 𝑇𝑇𝑅𝑅 and the current temperature, T of the coffee.

Topic 7.2: Verifying Solutions for Differential Equations


The general solution of a first-order differential equation represents a family of curves, which
we will investigate in this unit. First let’s look at some of the notation methods for representing
differential equations.

Multiple Representations of Differential Equations

3𝑦𝑦 ′ + 𝑦𝑦 ′′ = 4𝑦𝑦 Differential Equation

3𝑓𝑓 ′ 𝑥𝑥 + 𝑓𝑓 ′′ 𝑥𝑥 = 4𝑓𝑓 𝑥𝑥 Function notation

𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑 𝑑𝑑 2 𝑦𝑦
3 + = 4𝑓𝑓(𝑥𝑥) Liebniz notation
𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑 𝑑𝑑𝑥𝑥 2

To see how there is a whole “class of functions” that can satisfy this particular differential equation,
consider the function family of 𝑦𝑦 = 𝑒𝑒 𝑏𝑏𝑏𝑏 . In our next example, we will show how there are many
functions that can satisfy this differential equation.

© 2021 Jean Adams Flamingo Math.com


EX #2: Show that both 𝑦𝑦 = 2𝑒𝑒 𝑥𝑥 and 𝑦𝑦 = 𝑒𝑒 −4𝑥𝑥 are valid solutions for the differential equation
𝑦𝑦 ′′ + 3𝑦𝑦 ′ = 4𝑦𝑦 .
.

EX #3: Determine whether the function is a solution to the given differential equation.

𝒅𝒅𝒅𝒅
A. Given 𝒅𝒅𝒅𝒅
= 𝟎𝟎. 𝟓𝟓(𝟏𝟏𝟏𝟏 − 𝒚𝒚) B. Given 𝟓𝟓𝟓𝟓 + 𝟒𝟒𝟒𝟒
𝒈𝒈′ 𝒙𝒙 =
Is 𝑦𝑦 = 3𝑒𝑒 −0.5𝑥𝑥 + 15 a solution? 𝒙𝒙
Is 𝑔𝑔 𝑥𝑥 = 𝑥𝑥 4 − 5𝑥𝑥 a solution?

A function, 𝑦𝑦 = 𝑓𝑓(𝑡𝑡), which satisfies a differential equation is called a solution. We will be able to
find both general solutions and particular solutions using a variety of techniques in this unit.

𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑
EX #4: For the differential equation 𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑 = 3𝑥𝑥 2 find a general solution.

© 2021 Jean Adams Flamingo Math.com


A Summer Internship

EX #5: You have been given a summer internship at a winery in


the Tuscany region of Italy. Your task, each day, is to track
the rate that red grape juice is being pumped into these
large stainless-steel vats.

A. The depth, y, is increased at a rate proportional to the square


root of the depth at a given time. Write a rate equation that
would represent this situation.

B. When the grape juice reaches a height of 4 inches, the depth of


the juice is increasing at a rate of 4 inches per hour. What can
you find with this information?

C. Write the (differential) rate equation using your new-found information.

D. Complete the table below for the chosen depths using your differential equation. You notice
that the rate the depth of the grape juice is changing does not depend on the amount of time.

Depth (inches) 0 4 9 16 25 36 49

Rate depth is changing (inches/hour)

E. The vintner needs to know the depth of the water at any given time. That’s why he hired you.
What fact do you need in order to find an answer for your boss?

F. Suppose there was 4 inches of graph juice initially. In order to estimate the depth after 1 hour,
we will assume the rate remains constant for the first hour. How did we arrive at an answer of
8 inches? Use this technique to complete the chart.

Time (hours) 0 1 2 3 4 5 6

Estimated depth of grape juice (inches) 4 8

© 2021 Jean Adams Flamingo Math.com


G. How many functions would satisfy your differential equation? ______________. What information
determines which particular solution you find? __________________________________________________.
Use the data from the second table (Part F) and plot this particular solution of the differential
equation using a BLUE COLORED PENCIL on the grid below.

H. Using a GREEN COLORED PENCIL, plot another function that also represents a particular
solution of the differential equation.

I. Do you notice a relationship between your graphed solutions and the “slope field” in the
background? Explain your thoughts.

© 2021 Jean Adams Flamingo Math.com

You might also like