𝑑𝑥
QN 2. Suppose the function 𝑥(𝑡) satisfies the equation, − 𝑡 + 𝑡𝑥 = 0, and that 𝑥(0) = 2,
𝑑𝑡
find the value of 𝑥(1) rounded to two decimal places.
QN 3. Suppose that South Africa’s Population is increasing at a rate which is proportional to
the number of people living at any time. Let 𝑃 = number of people at any time 𝑡. When the
calculation starts, there are 55.5million people in South Africa.
i) Which mathematical model below best describes the population growth of South Africa
with time?
𝑑𝑃
A. = 𝑒 𝜆𝑃(𝑡)
𝑑𝑡
𝑑𝑃
B. = −𝜆𝑃(𝑡)
𝑑𝑡
𝑑𝑃
C. = 𝜆𝑃(𝑡)
𝑑𝑡
𝑑𝑃
D. 𝑑𝑡 = (55.5 × 106 )𝑒 𝜆𝑡
E. None of the above
ii) Which of the below states the initial condition mathematically?
A. 𝑃(0) = 55.5
B. 𝑃(0) = 0
C. 𝑃(0) = 55.5 × 106
D. 𝑃(𝑡) = 55.5 × 106
E. None of the above
, PHYS1034 NOVEMBER EXAM PREP (MATHEMATICAL MODELLING)
QN 4. The rate of decay of any given radioactive substance is directly proportional to the
amount of sample 𝑁 available at any given time 𝑡.
i)Derive the equation relating the amount of sample that remains after a certain time 𝑡. Take
𝜆 to be the decay constant.
ii) How long will it take for the half of the original amount of substance to decay? Take this
time to be 𝑡1/2.
QN 5. The growth rate of bacteria in a culture medium is directly proportional to the difference
̅.
between the number of bacteria and a certain number 𝑵
i)An expression for the number of bacteria 𝒏 as a function of the time 𝒕, given that the initial number
of bacteria placed in the culture medium is 𝑁0 and the constant of proportionality is 𝝀, is given by:
A. 𝑛(𝑡) = 𝑁0 + (𝑁̅ − 𝑁0 )𝑒 𝜆𝑡
B. ̅ + (𝑁
𝑛(𝑡) = 𝑁 ̅ − 𝑁0 )𝑒 𝜆𝑡
C. 𝑛(𝑡) = 𝑁0 + (𝑁0 − 𝑁 ̅)𝑒 𝜆𝑡
D. ̅ + (𝑁0 − 𝑁
𝑛(𝑡) = 𝑁 ̅)𝑒 𝜆𝑡
E. None of these options
̅, the time 𝑡 ∗ taken for the bacteria to vanish in the
ii) If the initial number of bacteria 𝑁0 is less than 𝑁
culture medium is given by:
A. None of these options
̅
𝑁
B. 𝑡 ∗ = 𝜆ln (𝑁 ̅
)
0 −𝑁
QN 6. (Qn5 Look-alike) If the growth rate of bacteria in a culture medium is directly proportional to
the difference between the number of bacteria and a certain optimal number 𝑃̅ .
i)Derive an expression for the number of bacteria P as a function of the time 𝑡 given that the initial
number of bacteria placed in the culture medium is 𝑃0 and that the constant of proportionality is 𝜆
ii) How long does it take for the difference in the number of bacteria and the optimal number to reduce
to ¼ of the initial difference?
Stuvia customers have reviewed more than 700,000 summaries. This how you know that you are buying the best documents.
Quick and easy check-out
You can quickly pay through EFT, credit card or Stuvia-credit for the summaries. There is no membership needed.
Focus on what matters
Your fellow students write the study notes themselves, which is why the documents are always reliable and up-to-date. This ensures you quickly get to the core!
Frequently asked questions
What do I get when I buy this document?
You get a PDF, available immediately after your purchase. The purchased document is accessible anytime, anywhere and indefinitely through your profile.
Satisfaction guarantee: how does it work?
Our satisfaction guarantee ensures that you always find a study document that suits you well. You fill out a form, and our customer service team takes care of the rest.
Who am I buying this summary from?
Stuvia is a marketplace, so you are not buying this document from us, but from seller nontandongobese1. Stuvia facilitates payment to the seller.
Will I be stuck with a subscription?
No, you only buy this summary for R65,33. You're not tied to anything after your purchase.