Porisma

Worked solution

Derive the insect model and restore its zero equilibrium

An insect population NN after tt weeks satisfies dN/dt=N−kN2dN/dt=N-kN^2, k>0k>0. Show, rather than merely verify, the general solution N=1/(k+Ae−t)N=1/(k+Ae^{-t}). marks

Initially there are 250250 insects and the population tends to 1000010000 after a very long time. Find the time to reach three times the initial population, to the nearest day. marks

[2013/RI(JC)/I/7]

CJC · Review problems · Question 7

Answer

N=1/(k+Ae−t)N=1/(k+Ae^{-t}), plus equilibrium N=0N=0; fitted k=0.0001k=0.0001, A=0.0039A=0.0039; tripling time 88 days (nearest day).

Separate and derive the family by partial fractions

1/[N(1−kN)]=1/N+k/(1−kN)1/[N(1-kN)]=1/N+k/(1-kN). Integrating gives ln⁡∣N∣−ln⁡∣1−kN∣=t+C\ln|N|-\ln|1-kN|=t+C, so N/(1−kN)=BetN/(1-kN)=Be^t. Rearrangement gives N=Bet/(1+kBet)=1/(k+Ae−t)N=Be^t/(1+kBe^t)=1/(k+Ae^{-t}), where A=1/BA=1/B. This is a derivation, not substitution of the proposed answer.

How did this part go?

Check the equilibria removed by separation

Division by N(1−kN)N(1-kN) excluded N=0N=0 and N=1/kN=1/k. The latter is included by A=0A=0 in the displayed family; the zero equilibrium must be stated separately. Nonconstant members are used only on intervals where their denominator is nonzero. The positive initial population here selects a member approaching 1/k1/k.

How did this part go?

Use the limiting population and the initial count

1/k=100001/k=10000 gives k=0.0001k=0.0001. From 250=1/(k+A)250=1/(k+A), A=0.004−0.0001=0.0039A=0.004-0.0001=0.0039. Thus N=1/(0.0001+0.0039e−t)N=1/(0.0001+0.0039e^{-t}).

How did this part go?

Convert the tripling time into the requested unit

At N=750N=750, e−t=(1/750−0.0001)/0.0039=37/117e^{-t}=(1/750-0.0001)/0.0039=37/117. Thus t=−ln⁡(37/117)≈1.1513t=-\ln(37/117)\approx1.1513 weeks, or approximately 8.0598.059 days, which rounds to 8 days. The question requests the nearest day, not the first integer day after the threshold.

How did this part go?

Common mistakes

Weeks must be converted to days before rounding, and the zero population is lost if one divides by N.

Read the hint