Math 3D Elementary Differential Equations Homework Questions 2 (Extras)

1.6 Autonomous Equations

1, 2 Solve f (x) = 0 to nd the critical points of the given autonomous differential equation
dx
dt
=
f (x). Analyze the sign of f (x) to determine whether each critical point is stable or unstable,
and construct the phase diagram. Solve the differential equation explicitly for x(t) in terms of
t. Finally sketch the slope eld and several typical solution curves.
1
dx
dt
= 3x x
2
2 *
dx
dt
= (3 x)
2
3 * Consider a prolic breed of rabbits whose birth and death rates , are each proportional to
the rabbit population P = P(t). with > .
(a) Show that P(t) =
P
0
1 kP
0
t
where k is constant.
Note that P(t) + as t
1
kP
0
. This is doomsday.
(b) Suppose that P
0
= 6 and that there are nine rabbits after ten months. When does dooms-
day occur?
4 Suppose that the population P(t) million of a country satises the differential equation
dP
dt
=
kP(200 P) with k constant. Its population in 1940 was 100 million and was then growing at
the rate of 1 million per year. Predict the countrys population for the year 2000.
5 Birth and death rates of animal populations typically are not constant; instead they vary peri-
odically with the passage of seasons. Find P(t) if the population satises
dP
dt
= (k + b cos 2t)P
where t is in years and k and b are positive constants. Thus the growth rate function r(t) =
k + b cos 2t varies periodically about its mean value k. Construct a graph that contrasts the
growth of this population with one that has the same initial value P
0
but satises the natural
growth equation P

= kP (same constant k). How would the two populations compare after the
passage of many years?
6 Construct the phase diagram for the differential equation
dx
dt
= x
3
(x
2
4) and use it to identify
the stability of its critical points. Sketch several solution curves. You do not have to solve the
equation!
Math 3D Elementary Differential Equations Homework Answers 2 (Extras)
1.6 Autonomous Equations
1
dx
dt
= 3x x
2
= x(3 x) has critical points x = 0, 3. The phase diagram is as follows:
1
0 3
x
dx
dt +
Solution Direction
Stability
Unstable Stable
Separating the equation yields

1
x(3 x)
dx =

dt =
1
3

1
x
+
1
3 x
dx = t + C =ln
x
3 x
= 3t + c
= x(t) =
3
1 + Ae
3t
where A is constant. Several solutions and the slope eld are graphed below
0
1
2
3
4
5
x
0 1 2 3 4 5
t
2
dx
dt
= (3 x)
2
has repeated critical point x = 3. The derivative is always negative away from
the critical point, hence the phase diagram is as follows:
3
x
dx
dt
Solution Direction
Stability
Semi-stable
Separating the equation yields

(3 x)
2
dx =

dt =(3 x)
1
= t + c = x(t) = 3 +
1
t + c
where c is constant. Several solutions and the slope eld are graphed below
1
For space drawn horizontally - draw vertically if you like. . .
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
x
0 1 2 3 4 5
t
3 (a) = bP and = cP where b, c are constants. Therefore
dP
dt
= ( )P = (b c)P
2
Separating variables and integrating gives

P
2
dP = (b c)

dt =P
1
= (b c)t + K
for some constant K. At t = 0 we have P(0) = P
0
, whence K = P
1
0
. Combining
everything yields
P
1
= P
1
0
(b c)t = P(t) =
P
0
1 kP
0
t
where k = b c > 0 is constant.
(b) P(10) = 9 and P
0
= 6, thus
9 =
6
1 k 6 10
=60k =
1
3
=k =
1
180
doomsday occurs at t =
1
kP
0
=
180
6
= 30 months
4 Let t = 0 be 1940, then 2000 is t = 60.
Initial conditions are P
0
= 100,
dP
dt

t=0
= 1 (P measured in millions)
Substituting at t = 0 into
dP
dt
= kP(200 P), we obtain
1 = 100k(200 100) = 10000k =k =
1
10000
From the lectures, the general solution is
P(t) =
MP
0
P
0
+ (MP
0
)e
kMt
=
20000
100 + 100e
200t/10000
=
200
1 + e
t/50
Therefore the population in 2000 will be
P(60) =
200
1 + e
6/5
153, 704, 957 (153.7 million)
3
5
dP
dt
= (k + b cos 2t)P is separable:

P
1
dP =

k + b cos 2t dt =ln P = kt +
b
2
sin2t + c
where c is a constant. Rearranging this, we obtain
P(t) = P
0
e
kt
exp

b
2
sin2t

The natural growth equation has solution P(t) = P

0
e
kt
. The two solutions are plotted together.
P
0 1 2 3 4 5
t
6 The critical points of
dx
dt
= x
3
(x
2
4) are x = 0, 2, with phase diagram as follows
2 0 2
x
dx
dt + +
Solution Direction
Stability
Unstable Stable Unstable
Several solutions and the slope eld are graphed below
3
2
1
0
1
2
3
y
1 2
x
4