A LEVEL (P3)

DIFFERENTIAL
EQUATION
QUESTION'S
 QUESTIONS 1 TOPIC 9: DIFFERENTIAL EQUATIONS

2 A rectangular reservoir has a horizontal base of area 1000 m2. At time t = 0, it is empty and water
begins to flow into it at a constant rate of 30 m3 s−1 . At the same time, water begins to flow out at a
√ dh
rate proportional to h, where h m is the depth of the water at time t s. When h = 1, = 0.02.
dt

(i) Show that h satisfies the differential equation

dh √
= 0.01(3 − h). [3]
dt

√
It is given that, after making the substitution x = 3 − h, the equation in part (i) becomes
dx
(x − 3) = 0.005x.
dt

(ii) Using the fact that x = 3 when t = 0, solve this differential equation, obtaining an expression for
t in terms of x. [5]

(iii) Find the time at which the depth of water reaches 4 m. [2]

3 (i) Using partial fractions, find

1
 dy. [4]
y(4 − y)

(ii) Given that y = 1 when x = 0, solve the differential equation

dy
= y(4 − y),
dx
obtaining an expression for y in terms of x. [4]

(iii) State what happens to the value of y if x becomes very large and positive. [1]
 QUESTIONS 2 TOPIC 9: DIFFERENTIAL EQUATIONS

4 In a certain chemical reaction the amount, x grams, of a substance present is decreasing. The rate of
decrease of x is proportional to the product of x and the time, t seconds, since the start of the reaction.
Thus x and t satisfy the differential equation
dx
= −kxt,
dt
where k is a positive constant. At the start of the reaction, when t = 0, x = 100.

(i) Solve this differential equation, obtaining a relation between x, k and t. [5]

(ii) 20 seconds after the start of the reaction the amount of substance present is 90 grams. Find the
time after the start of the reaction at which the amount of substance present is 50 grams. [3]

5 In a certain industrial process, a substance is being produced in a container. The mass of the substance
in the container t minutes after the start of the process is x grams. At any time, the rate of formation
of the substance is proportional to its mass. Also, throughout the process, the substance is removed
dx
from the container at a constant rate of 25 grams per minute. When t = 0, x = 1000 and = 75.
dt

(i) Show that x and t satisfy the differential equation

dx
= 0.1(x − 250). [2]
dt

(ii) Solve this differential equation, obtaining an expression for x in terms of t. [6]

6 Given that y = 2 w h e n x = 0, solve the differential equation

dy
y = 1 + y2 ,
dx
obtaining an expression for y2 in terms of x. [6]

7 A model for the height, h metres, of a certain type of tree at time t years after being planted assumes
1
that, while the tree is growing, the rate of increase in height is proportional to (9 − h) 3 . It is given that,
dh
when t = 0, h = 1 and = 0.2.
dt

(i) Show that h and t satisfy the differential equation

dh 1
= 0.1(9 − h) 3 . [2]
dt

(ii) Solve this differential equation, and obtain an expression for h in terms of t. [7]

(iii) Find the maximum height of the tree and the time taken to reach this height after planting. [2]

(iv) Calculate the time taken to reach half the maximum height. [1]
 QUESTIONS 3 TOPIC 9: DIFFERENTIAL EQUATIONS

8 The number of insects in a population t days after the start of observations is denoted by N. T h e
variation in the number of insects is modelled by a differential equation of the form
dN
= kN cos(0.02t),
dt
where k is a constant and N is taken to be a continuous variable. It is given that N = 125 when t = 0.

(i) Solve the differential equation, obtaining a relation between N , k and t. [5]

(ii) Given also that N = 166 when t = 30, find the value of k. [2]

(iii) Obtain an expression for N in terms of t, and find the least value of N predicted by this model.
[3]

An underground storage tank is being filled with liquid as shown in the diagram. Initially the tank is
empty. At time t hours after filling begins, the volume of liquid is V m3 and the depth of liquid is h m.
It is given that V = 43 h3 .

The liquid is poured in at a rate of 20 m3 per hour, but owing to leakage, liquid is lost at a rate
dh
proportional to h2 . When h = 1, = 4.95.
dt

(i) Show that h satisfies the differential equation

dh 5 1
= 2− . [4]
dt h 20

20h2 2000
(ii) Verify that ≡ −20 + . [1]
100 − h2 (10 − h)(10 + h)

(iii) Hence solve the differential equation in part (i), obtaining an expression for t in terms of h. [5]
 QUESTIONS 4 TOPIC 9: DIFFERENTIAL EQUATIONS

100
10 (i) Express in partial fractions. [4]
x2 (10 − x)

(ii) Given that x = 1 when t = 0, solve the differential equation

dx
= 1 2
100
x (10 − x),
dt
obtaining an expression for t in terms of x. [6]

11 In a model of the expansion of a sphere of radius r cm, it is assumed that, at time t seconds after the
start, the rate of increase of the surface area of the sphere is proportional to its volume. When t = 0,
dr
r = 5 and = 2.
dt

(i) Show that r satisfies the differential equation

dr
= 0.08r2 . [4]
dt
[The surface area A and volume V of a sphere of radius r are given by the formulae A = 4π r 2 ,
V = 43 π r 3 .]

(ii) Solve this differential equation, obtaining an expression for r in terms of t. [5]

(iii) Deduce from your answer to part (ii) the set of values that t can take, according to this model.
[1]

12 Given that y = 0 when x = 1, solve the differential equation

= y2 + 4,
dy
xy
dx
obtaining an expression for y2 in terms of x. [6]

13 The variables x and t are related by the differential equation

= cos2 x,
dx
e2t
dt
where t ≥ 0. When t = 0, x = 0.

(i) Solve the differential equation, obtaining an expression for x in terms of t. [6]

(ii) State what happens to the value of x when t becomes very large. [1]

(iii) Explain why x increases as t increases. [1]

 QUESTIONS 5 TOPIC 9: DIFFERENTIAL EQUATIONS

14 Given that x = 1 when t = 0, solve the differential equation

dx 1 x
= − ,
dt x 4
obtaining an expression for x2 in terms of t. [7]

15 A certain substance is formed in a chemical reaction. The mass of substance formed t seconds after
the start of the reaction is x grams. At any time the rate of formation of the substance is proportional
to (20 − x). When t = 0, x = 0 and = 1.
dx
dt

(i) Show that x and t satisfy the differential equation

= 0.05(20 − x). [2]

dx
dt

(ii) Find, in any form, the solution of this differential equation. [5]

(iii) Find x when t = 10, giving your answer correct to 1 decimal place. [2]

(iv) State what happens to the value of x as t becomes very large. [1]

16 A biologist is investigating the spread of a weed in a particular region. At time t weeks after the
start of the investigation, the are√a covered by the weed is A m2 . The biologist claims that the rate of
increase of A is proportional to (2A − 5).

(i) Write down a differential equation representing the biologist’s claim. [1]

(ii) At the start of the investigation, the area covered by the weed was 7 m2 and, 10 weeks later, the
area covered was 27 m2 . Assuming that the biologist’s claim is correct, find the area covered
20 weeks after the start of the investigation. [9]

17 The number of birds of a certain species in a forested region is recorded over several years. At time
t years, the number of birds is N , where N is treated as a continuous variable. The variation in the
number of birds is modelled by
dN N (1800 − N )
= .
dt 3600
It is given that N = 300 when t = 0.

(i) Find an expression for N in terms of t. [9]

(ii) According to the model, how many birds will there be after a long time? [1]
 QUESTIONS 6 TOPIC 9: DIFFERENTIAL EQUATIONS

18 A certain curve is such that its gradient at a point (x, y) is proportional to xy. At the point (1, 2) the
gradient is 4.
2
−1
(i) By setting up and solving a differential equation, show that the equation of the curve is y = 2ex .
[7]

(ii) State the gradient of the curve at the point (−1, 2) and sketch the curve. [2]

19 In a chemical reaction, a compound X is formed from two compounds Y and Z . The masses in
grams of X , Y and Z present at time t seconds after the start of the reaction are x, 10 − x and 20 − x
respectively. At any time the rate of formation of X is proportional to the product of the masses of Y
dx
and Z present at the time. When t = 0, x = 0 and = 2.
dt
(i) Show that x and t satisfy the differential equation
dx
= 0.01(10 − x)(20 − x). [1]
dt

(ii) Solve this differential equation and obtain an expression for x in terms of t. [9]

(iii) State what happens to the value of x when t becomes large. [1]

20 The variables x and θ are related by the differential equation

dx
sin 2θ = (x + 1) cos 2θ ,
dθ
where 0 < θ < 12 π . When θ = 121 π , x = 0. Solve the differential equation, obtaining an expression for

x in terms of θ , and simplifying your answer as far as possible. [7]

21 During an experiment, the number of organisms present at time t days is denoted by N , where N is
treated as a continuous variable. It is given that
dN
= 1.2e−0.02t N 0.5 .
dt
When t = 0, the number of organisms present is 100.

(i) Find an expression for N in terms of t. [6]

(ii) State what happens to the number of organisms present after a long time. [1]

22 The variables x and y are related by the differential equation

=
dy 6x e3x
.
dx y2
It is given that y = 2 when x = 0. Solve the differential equation and hence find the value of y when
x = 0.5, giving your answer correct to 2 decimal places. [8]
 QUESTIONS 7 TOPIC 9: DIFFERENTIAL EQUATIONS

23 The variables x and y satisfy the differential equation

= e2x+y ,
dy
dx
and y = 0 when x = 0. Solve the differential equation, obtaining an expression for y in terms of x. [6]

24 In a certain chemical process a substance A reacts with another substance B. The masses in grams of
A and B present at time t seconds after the start of the process are x and y respectively. It is given that
dy
= −0.6xy and x = 5e−3t . When t = 0, y = 70.
dt
(i) Form a differential equation in y and t. Solve this differential equation and obtain an expression
for y in terms of t. [6]

(ii) The percentage of the initial mass of B remaining at time t is denoted by p. Find the exact value
approached by p as t becomes large. [2]

25 The variables x and y are related by the differential equation

= 1 − y2 .
dy
x
dx
When x = 2, y = 0. Solve the differential equation, obtaining an expression for y in terms of x. [8]

26 The variables x and y are related by the differential equation

dy
(x2 + 4) = 6xy.
dx
It is given that y = 32 when x = 0. Find an expression for y in terms of x. [6]

27 Liquid is flowing into a small tank which has a leak. Initially the tank is empty and, t minutes later,
the volume of liquid in the tank is V cm3. The liquid is flowing into the tank at a constant rate of
80 cm3 per minute. Because of the leak, liquid is being lost from the tank at a rate which, at any
instant, is equal to kV cm3 per minute where k is a positive constant.

(i) Write down a differential equation describing this situation and solve it to show that

V= 80 − 80e−kt
.
1
7
k

(ii) It is observed that V = 500 when t = 15, so that k satisfies the equation

4 − 4e−15k
k= .
25
Use an iterative formula, based on this equation, to find the value of k correct to 2 significant
figures. Use an initial value of k = 0.1 and show the result of each iteration to 4 significant
figures. [3]

(iii) Determine how much liquid there is in the tank 20 minutes after the liquid started flowing, and
state what happens to the volume of liquid in the tank after a long time. [2]
 QUESTIONS 8 TOPIC 9: DIFFERENTIAL EQUATIONS

in the form 2 + +
1 A B C
28
x 2x + 1
x 2x + 1
(i) Express 2
. [4]
x

(ii) The variables x and y satisfy the differential equation

y = x2 2x + 1

dy
,
dx
and y = 1 when x = 1. Solve the differential equation and find the exact value of y when x = 2.
Give your value of y in a form not involving logarithms. [7]

29 The variables x and t satisfy the differential equation

dx k − x3
t = ,
dt 2x2
for t > 0, where k is a constant. When t = 1, x = 1 and when t = 4, x = 2.

(i) Solve the differential equation, finding the value of k and obtaining an expression for x in terms
of t. [9]

(ii) State what happens to the value of x as t becomes large. [1]

30

h
60°

A tank containing water is in the form of a cone with vertex C. The axis is vertical and the semi-
vertical angle is 60Å, as shown in the diagram. At time t = 0, the tank is full and the depth of water
is H . At this instant, a tap at C is opened and water begins to flow out. The volume of water in the
tank decreases at a rate proportional to ïh, where h is the depth of water at time t. The tank becomes
empty when t = 60.

(i) Show that h and t satisfy a differential equation of the form

−3
= −Ah 2 ,
dh
dt
where A is a positive constant. [4]

(ii) Solve the differential equation given in part (i) and obtain an expression for t in terms of h and
H. [6]

(iii) Find the time at which the depth reaches 21 H . [1]

[The volume V of a cone of vertical height h and base radius r is given by V = 13 0r2 h.]
 QUESTIONS 9 TOPIC 9: DIFFERENTIAL EQUATIONS

31
y

A
x
O

A particular solution of the differential equation

= 4 y3 + 1
cos2 x
dy
3y2
dx
is such that y = 2 when x = 0. The diagram shows a sketch of the graph of this solution for 0 ≤ x ≤ 20;
the graph has stationary points at A and B. Find the y-coordinates of A and B, giving each coordinate
correct to 1 decimal place. [10]

32 The variables x and y are related by the differential equation

6ye3x
=
dy
dx 2 + e3x
.

Given that y = 36 when x = 0, find an expression for y in terms of x. [6]

33 The population of a country at time t years is N millions. At any time, N is assumed to increase at a
dN
rate proportional to the product of N and 1 − 0.01N
. When t = 0, N = 20 and = 0.32.
dt

(i) Treating N and t as continuous variables, show that they satisfy the differential equation
dN
= 0.02N 1 − 0.01N
. 1
dt

(ii) Solve the differential equation, obtaining an expression for t in terms of N . [8]

(iii) Find the time at which the population will be double its value at t = 0. [1]

34 The variables x and 1 satisfy the differential equation

dx 
2 cos2 1 = 2x + 1
,
d1
and x = 0 when 1 = 14 0. Solve the differential equation and obtain an expression for x in terms of 1.
[7]
 QUESTIONS 10 TOPIC 9: DIFFERENTIAL EQUATIONS

35 In a certain country the government charges tax on each litre of petrol sold to motorists. The revenue
per year is R million dollars when the rate of tax is x dollars per litre. The variation of R with x is
modelled by the differential equation
@ A
dR 1
=R − 0.57 ,
dx x
where R and x are taken to be continuous variables. When x = 0.5, R = 16.8.

(i) Solve the differential equation and obtain an expression for R in terms of x. [6]

(ii) This model predicts that R cannot exceed a certain amount. Find this maximum value of R. [3]

36 The variables x and y are related by the differential equation

= 5 xy sin 13 x .
dy 1 12  
dx

(i) Find the general solution, giving y in terms of x. [6]

(ii) Given that y = 100 when x = 0, find the value of y when x = 25. [3]

37 Given that y = 1 when x = 0, solve the differential equation

= 4x 3y2 + 10y + 3
,

dy
dx
obtaining an expression for y in terms of x. [9]

38 The number of organisms in a population at time t is denoted by x. Treating x as a continuous variable,

the differential equation satisfied by x and t is
xe−t
=
dx
k + e−t
,
dt
where k is a positive constant.

(i) Given that x = 10 when t = 0, solve the differential equation, obtaining a relation between x, k
and t. [6]

(ii) Given also that x = 20 when t = 1, show that k = 1 −

2
. [2]
e

(iii) Show that the number of organisms never reaches 48, however large t becomes. [2]
 QUESTIONS 11 TOPIC 9: DIFFERENTIAL EQUATIONS

39 The number of micro-organisms in a population at time t is denoted by M . At any time the variation
in M is assumed to satisfy the differential equation
dM
= k ïM
cos 0.02t
,
dt
where k is a constant and M is taken to be a continuous variable. It is given that when t = 0, M = 100.

(i) Solve the differential equation, obtaining a relation between M , k and t. [5]

(ii) Given also that M = 196 when t = 50, find the value of k. [2]

(iii) Obtain an expression for M in terms of t and find the least possible number of micro-organisms.

41 In a c hemical reaction a compound X is formed from a compound Y. T he masses in grams of X and

Y present at time t seconds after the start of the reaction are x and y respectively. The sum of the
two masses is equal to 100 grams throughout the reaction. At any time, the rate of formation of X is
dx
proportional to the mass of Y at that time. When t = 0, x = 5 and = 1.9.
dt

(i) Show that x satisfies the differential equation

dx
= 0.02(100 − x). [2]
dt

(ii) Solve this differential equation, obtaining an expression for x in terms of t. [6]

(iii) State what happens to the value of x as t becomes very large. [1]
 QUESTIONS 12 TOPIC 9: DIFFERENTIAL EQUATIONS

42 Compressed air is escaping from a container. The pressure of the air in the container at time t is P,
and the constant atmospheric pressure of the air outside the container is A. The rate of decrease of
P is proportional to the square root of the pressure difference (P − A). Thus the differential equation
connecting P and t is
dP √
= −k (P − A),
dt
where k is a positive constant.

(i) Find, in any form, the general solution of this differential equation. [3]
√
(ii) Given that P = 5A when t = 0, and that P = 2A when t = 2, show that k = A. [4]

(iii) Find the value of t when P = A. [2]

(iv) Obtain an expression for P in terms of A and t. [2]

43 Given that y = 1 w h e n x = 0, solve the differential equation

dy y3 + 1
= ,
dx y2
obtaining an expression for y in terms of x. [6]

44
y

x
O T N 2p
1

In the diagram the tangent to a curve at a general point P with coordinates (x, y) meets the x-axis at T .
The point N on the x-axis is such that PN is perpendicular to the x-axis. The curve is such that, for all
values of x in the interval 0 < x < 12 π , the area of triangle PTN is equal to tan x, where x is in radians.

PN
(i) Using the fact that the gradient of the curve at P is , show that
TN
dy 1 2
= y cot x. [3]
dx 2

(ii) Given that y = 2 when x = 16 π , solve this differential equation to find the equation of the curve,
expressing y in terms of x. [6]
 QUESTIONS 13 TOPIC 9: DIFFERENTIAL EQUATIONS

45 The variables x and 1 satisfy the differential equation

dx
= x + 2
sin2 21,
d1
and it is given that x = 0 when 1 = 0. Solve the differential equation and calculate the value of x when
1 = 14 0, giving your answer correct to 3 significant figures. [9]

46 Naturalists are managing a wildlife reserve to increase the number of plants of a rare species. The
number of plants at time t years is denoted by N , where N is treated as a continuous variable.

(i) It is given that the rate of increase of N with respect to t is proportional to N − 150
. Write
down a differential equation relating N , t and a constant of proportionality. [1]

(ii) Initially, when t = 0, the number of plants was 650. It was noted that, at a time when there were
900 plants, the number of plants was increasing at a rate of 60 per year. Express N in terms of t.
[7]

(iii) The naturalists had a target of increasing the number of plants from 650 to 2000 within 15 years.
Will this target be met? [2]