Application of Linear differential equation in solving problems

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the application of linear differential equations to model the spread of a rumor within a university population of 1000 students. Participants explore the mathematical formulation of the problem, including initial conditions and integration techniques, to determine how many students will be aware of the rumor after a specified time and how long it will take for a certain number of students to hear it.

Discussion Character

  • Mathematical reasoning
  • Technical explanation
  • Exploratory

Main Points Raised

  • One participant presents the problem of a rumor spreading at a rate proportional to the product of those who have heard it and those who have not, introducing the differential equation $\dfrac{dr}{dt} = k \cdot r(1000-r)$.
  • Another participant suggests integrating the equation using partial fractions and provides a detailed method for finding constants A and B in the integration process.
  • A later reply provides a step-by-step integration process, leading to an expression involving logarithms and exponentials, and attempts to solve for the constant k using initial conditions.
  • One participant challenges the method of finding constants A and B, indicating that the values should be represented as fractions, suggesting a potential error in the previous calculations.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on the correct approach to finding constants A and B in the integration process, indicating a disagreement on the method used. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the accuracy of the integration steps and the resulting expressions.

Contextual Notes

The discussion includes unresolved mathematical steps related to the integration process and the determination of constants, which may depend on specific assumptions or definitions not fully articulated by participants.

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A rumour spreads through a university with a population 1000 students at a rate proportional to the product of those who have heard the rumour and those who have not.If 5 student leaders initiated the rumours and 10 students are aware of the rumour after one day:-
i)How many students will be aware of the rumour after 7 days.
ii)How long will it take for 850 students to hear the rumour
 
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let $r$ = number of students who have heard the rumor

$(1000-r)$ = number who have not heard the rumor

$t$ is in days

$\dfrac{dr}{dt} = k \cdot r(1000-r)$, where $k$ is the constant of proportionality

you are given $r(0)=5$ and $r(1) = 10$

see what you can do from here …
 
Thank you👊
 
Since this has been here a while and I just cannot resist:
dr/dt= kr(1000- r)
dr/[r(1000-r)]= kdt

To integrate on the left, separate using "partial fractions"- find constant A and B such that 1/[r(1000- r)]= A/r+ B/(1000- r)
Multiplying on both sides by r(1000- r)
1= A(1000- r)+ Br
Let r= 0: 1= 1000A so A= 1/1000.
Let r= 1000: 1= 1000B so B= 1/1000

1000 dr/r+ 1000 dr/(1000- r)= kdt

The integral of 1000 dr/r is 1000 ln(|r|).
To integrate 1000 dr/(1000- r) let u= 1000- r so that du= -dr.
then dr/(1000- r)= -du/u.
The integral is -1000 ln(|u|)= -1000 ln(|1000- r|)

We have 1000 ln(|r|)-1000 ln(|1000- r|)= kt+ C.
$1000 ln\left(|\frac{r}{1000- r}|\right)= kt+ C$
$ln\left(\left(\frac{r}{1000- r}\right)^{1000}\right)= kt+ C$
(I have dropped the absolute value since this is to an even power.)

Taking the exponential of both sides
$\left(\frac{r}{1000- r}\right)^{1000}= C' e^{kt}$
where $C'= e^C$.

Now, we are given that r(0)= 5 and r(1)= 10.
Setting t= 0, r= 5
$\frac{5}{9995}= \frac{1}{1999}=C'$
Setting t= 1, r= 10
$\frac{10}{9990}= \frac{1}{999}= \frac{e^k}{1999}$
$e^k= \frac{1999}{999}$
so $k= ln\left(\frac{1999}{999}\right)$
and $e^{kt}= (e^k)^t= \left(\frac{1999}{999}\right)^t$

$r(t)= \frac{\left(\frac{1999}{999}\right)^t}{1999}$.
 
You are putting A and B values in a wrong way ...these values will come in fraction
 

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