Scribd
Upload
2 views

section 6-4 Class Notes

The document covers separable differential equations, which are first-order equations that can be factored into functions of x and y. It includes examples of solving such equations, modeling exponential growth, and applications like bacterial growth, puppy weight, epidemic spread, radioactive decay, and Newton's Law of Cooling. The notes provide a framework for understanding and solving differential equations in various contexts.

Uploaded by

ryan.c.chiou
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
2 views

section 6-4 Class Notes

The document covers separable differential equations, which are first-order equations that can be factored into functions of x and y. It includes examples of solving such equations, modeling exponential growth, and applications like bacterial growth, puppy weight, epidemic spread, radioactive decay, and Newton's Law of Cooling. The notes provide a framework for understanding and solving differential equations in various contexts.

Uploaded by

ryan.c.chiou
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 4

AP Calculus AB

Class Notes
Section 6.4 Separable Differential Equations and its Modeling

Separable Differential Equations


A Separable Differential Equation is a first-order differential equation in which the expression for dy dx can be
dy g ( x)
factored as a function of x times a function of y. For example: =
dx f ( y)

Then we separate function of y on one side and function of x on the other side. For example: f ( y )dy = g ( x)dx

Finally, we integrate both sides of equation. For example: ò f ( y)dy = ò g ( x)dx


Example 1: Solve the differential equation

dy x 2 b. y ' = y 2 sin x
a. =
dx y 2

c. (𝑥 ! + 1)𝑦 " = 𝑥𝑦 dy 6x2


d. =
dx 2 y + cos y
Example 2: Solve the differential equation that satisfies the initial condition
dy x dy
a. = , y (0) = -3 b. = e x - y , y (0) = 2
dx y dx

dy 1 + x 2 dy 1 p
c. = 2 , y (-1) = - 3 4 d. =- , y (3) =
dx y dx sin y 2

Exponential Growth
The differential equation that describes the exponential growth is dy dx = ky , where k is the growth constant (if
positive) or the decay constant (if negative). Let’s prove it.

dy dx = ky
#$
Example 3: Bacteria in a certain culture increase at rate proportional to the number present, such that #%
= 𝑘𝑃.
If the number of bacteria doubles in three hours, in how many hours will the number of bacteria triple?

Example 4: A puppy weights 2.0 pounds at birth and 3.5 pounds two months later. If the weight of the puppy
during its first 6 months is increasing at a rate proportional to its weight, then how much will the puppy weigh
when it is 3 months old?

Example 5: During a certain epidemic, the number of people that are infected at any time increases at rate
proportional to the number of people that are infected at that time. If 1000 people are infected when the
epidemic is first discovered, and 1200 are infected 7 days later, how many people are infected 12 days after the
epidemic is first discovered?

Example 6: The rate at which a radioactive element decays (as measured by the number of nuclei that change
per unit of time) is approximately proportional to the amount of nuclei present. Suppose that 10 grams of the
plutonium isotope Pu-239 was released in the Chernobyl nuclear accident. How long will it take for the 10 gram
to decay to 1 gram? [Pu-239 has a half life of 24,360 years]
Example 7: Newton’s Law of Cooling states that the rate of change in the temperature of an object is
proportional to the difference between the object’s temperature and the temperature in the surrounding medium.
A detective finds a murder victim at 9 am. The temperature of the body is measured at 90.3 ℉. One hour later,
the temperature of the body is 89.0 ℉. The temperature of the room has been maintained at a constant 68 ℉.
(a) Assuming the temperature, T, of the body obey Newton’s Law of Cooling, write a different equation for T.
(b) Solve the differential equation to estimate the time the murder occurred.

Example 8: 2012 FRQ

You might also like