y

P
d
m
e
h
M
n
i
t
u
o
S
l
a
c
p
r
e
t
I
l
a
c
i
s
y
h
P
n
o
ti 1.3 Mathematical Modeling:

To describe, understand and predict the behavior of a physical process or system, a

"mathematical model" is constructed by relating the variables by means of one or more
equations. Usually, these equations describing the system in motion are "differential
equations" involving derivatives that measure the rates of change. The behavior and
interaction of components of the system at later times are described by the "solutions" of
these differential equations. Ordinary differential equations (ODEs) arise in many contexts of
mathematics and social and natural sciences. Various differentials, derivatives, and functions
become related via equations, such that a differential equation is a result that describes
dynamically changing phenomena, evolution, and variation. Specific mathematical fields
include geometry and analytical mechanics. Scientific fields include
of physics and astronomy (celestial mechanics), meteorology (weather modeling) chemistry

modeling, and economics (stock trends, interest rates and the market equilibrium price
changes).

Therefore, modeling is an essential technique of transforming a physical problem to a

“mathematical model”. Thus a mathematical model describes a natural process or a physical
system in mathematical terms, representing an idealization by simplifying the reality by
ignoring negligible details of the natural process and emphasizing on only its essential
manifestations.

The typical steps of modeling can be described with the aid of the following diagram.
much

(reaction rates), biology (infectious diseases, genetic variation), ecology and population

In this section, we consider the simplest of these differential equations which is of the first
order. Various physical problems such as population growth, natural decay, Newton’s law of
cooling, and velocity of escape from earth etc. have been considered to demonstrate the
applications of ODEs effectively.
Examples of Modeling:
 Motion of satellite
 Flow of Fluids
 Flow of current in an electrical circuit
 Radiocarbon dating
 Exponential growth
 Mixing problem
 Cooling problem
Steps for Modeling problem and its solution:
Step 1: Setting up a mathematical model or differential equation of the physical or other
system.
Step 2: Find the general solution of the mathematical model and interpretation.
Step 3: Determination of a particular solution by obtaining the particular value of arbitrary
constant from an initial condition.
Step 4: Determination of the constant of proportionality depending on the kind of substances.
Step 5: Answer and interpretation.

Example: 3 If the growth rate of the number of bacteria at any time t is proportional to the
number present at t and doubles in 1 week, how many bacteria can be expected after 2
weeks? After 4 weeks?
Solution:
step1:

Let y be the amount of bacteria at any time t and y 0 be the initial amount of bacteria.
dy
∝ y
According to the question, dt

dy
=ky ,
dt (1.8)

dy
step 2:
∫ y =∫ kdt
ln y=kt+c
y=ekt+c =e kt e c
 kt c
y=c1 e . where c 1=e (1.9)

step 3:

When t=0 , y= y 0

t=7 , y=2 y 0

t=14 , y=?

t=28, y=?

When t=0 , y= y 0 this implies c 1= y 0 .

kt
Now, y= y 0 e

step 4:

Again t=7 , y=2 y 0 , imply

2 y 0= y 0 e 7k
e 7k =2
7k=ln 2
ln 2
k=
7

step5:

Thus
ln 2
( )t
7
y= y 0 e

(e ln72 ) 14= y 2 ln 2 2
= y 0 e ln 2 =4
When t=14 , y = y0 0e y0 .

t=28 , y= y 0
(e ln72 ) 28= y 4 ln 2 4
= y 0 e ln 2 =16 y 0 .
0e

Example 4 Mixing problems occur quite frequently in the chemical industry. Consider a
tank (as given in the figure below) contains 1000 gal of water in which initially 100 lb of salt
is dissolved. Brine runs in at a rate of 10 gal min, and each gallon contains 5 lb of dissolved
salt. The mixture in the tank is kept uniform by stirring. Brine runs out at 10 gal min. Find the
amount of salt in the tank at any time t.

Solution: Let y(t ) denote the amount of salt in the tank at time t. Its time rate
of change is given by
y ' = Salt inflow rate − Salt outflow rate (Balance
law)
'
or y =50−0. 01 y=−0. 01( y−5000 ).
On solving the above equation, we have
dy
=−0.01dt ,
y−5000
ln|y−5000|=−0.01t+c1

or y−5000=ce−0 .01t .
(1.10)

Initially, the tank contains 100 lb of salt. Hence y(0 )=100 is the initial condition.

Substituting y=100 and t=0 in the last equation gives c=−4900 .

Hence the amount of salt in the tank at time t is
−0. 01 t
y(t )=5000−4900e .
Example 5: A thermometer, reading 5°C, is brought into a room whose temperature is 22°C.
One minute later the thermometer reading is 12°C. How long does it take until the reading is
practically 22°C, say, 21.9°C?

Solution: According to Newton’s law of cooling,

dT
=k (T −22)
dt
 dT
=kdt
or T −22

kt
On integration, T =22+ce . (1.11)

When t=0 , T =5 implies c=−17

10
Again when t=1,T =12 which implies
k=ln ( )
17
=−0 . 5306

−0 .5306 t
Hence, T =22−17 e
−0 .5306 t
or 21.9=22−17 e

or t=9 . 68 min .

Example 6: If a wet sheet in a dryer loses its moisture at a rate proportional to its moisture
content, and if it loses half of its moisture during the first 10 min of drying, when will it be
practically dry, say, when will it have lost 99% of its moisture? First guess, then calculate.

Solution: Let y be the amount of moisture at any time t and y 0 be the initial amount
of moisture.

When t=0 , y= y 0
y0
t=10 , y=
2
t=?, y=0 . 01 y 0

According to the question, y' α y

dy
=ky ,
dt

dy
=kdt ,
y

On integration, y=cekt .

When t=0 , y= y 0 , this implies c= y 0 .

 y0 ln(1/2)
t=10 , y= k=
Again from 2 , 10

1
ln ( 12 )t
0.01 y 0 = y 0 e 10

e 10(−0. 69314 )t =0.01

ln(0 .01)
t= =66
Putting the values in solution −6.9314

or t=66 min .

*************************************END*********************************