Failure rate of a system at time 't'

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around the failure rate of a system over time, denoted as λ(t), and the total number of failures, μ(t). The original poster presents two models for estimating these functions, involving differential equations and integrals.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Mathematical reasoning, Problem interpretation

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss substituting the expression for λ into the differential equation to derive a separable equation for μ. There are questions about the differentiation process and the integration steps involved.

Discussion Status

Some participants have offered guidance on how to approach the problem, suggesting methods for manipulating the equations. Multiple interpretations of the integration process are being explored, but there is no explicit consensus on the next steps.

Contextual Notes

There is a note regarding the original poster having started two threads for the same question, which may affect the clarity of the discussion.

francisg3
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I need to solve the following problem for a school assignment.

Let λ(t) denote the failuer rate of a system at time 't'. The failure rate is simple the number of failures in unit time. For example, if the unit time is one day, then λ is the average of failures per day. Let μ(t) denote the total number of failures from the first release (time t=0) until the current time, 't'. Then we have

(1) λ= dμ/dt

(2) μ = ∫λ(T) where the limits of integration are T=0 (lower) and T=t (upper)

Two models are used for estimating λ and μ. In the forumlae below, λ0 is the failure rate at time t=0, and α and β are constants

λ=λ0(1-μ/α)

λ=λ0e^- β μ



Use (1) or (2) to find λ and μ as functions of time for each model.



...I just need some direction. Thanks!
 
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francisg3 said:
I need to solve the following problem for a school assignment.

Let λ(t) denote the failuer rate of a system at time 't'. The failure rate is simple the number of failures in unit time. For example, if the unit time is one day, then λ is the average of failures per day. Let μ(t) denote the total number of failures from the first release (time t=0) until the current time, 't'. Then we have

(1) λ= dμ/dt

(2) μ = ∫λ(T) where the limits of integration are T=0 (lower) and T=t (upper)

Two models are used for estimating λ and μ. In the forumlae below, λ0 is the failure rate at time t=0, and α and β are constants

λ=λ0(1-μ/α)

λ=λ0e^- β μ



Use (1) or (2) to find λ and μ as functions of time for each model.



...I just need some direction. Thanks!

Well, Assuming that your first equation reads as such:

\lambda = \lambda_0 \left(1-\frac{\mu}{\alpha}\right)

You should be able to substitute λ=dμ/dt and get a seperable differential equation in μ. Then you differentiate that equation to get λ.

So you just need to solve:

\frac{d\mu}{dt} = \lambda_0 \left(1-\frac{\mu}{\alpha}\right)
 
so i just differentiate with respect to μ?
 
so the resulting integration would be:

-α ln (μ -α) evaluated at 0 and 't' correct?
 
Well, don't EVALUATE it at those two points. Instead, set that equal to t+C.
 

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