Differential equation for exponential growth

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around modeling the population dynamics of a virus that reproduces exponentially while being eliminated at a constant rate. The original poster presents an initial population and attempts to formulate a differential equation to describe the system.

Discussion Character

  • Mixed

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants explore the formulation of the differential equation, questioning how to incorporate the elimination rate into the model. There are discussions about the correct representation of the growth and elimination rates, as well as the integration process needed to find specific population thresholds.

Discussion Status

There are multiple interpretations of how to set up the differential equation and integrate it. Some participants provide guidance on unit consistency and suggest adjustments to the equation, while others express uncertainty about the integration process and the implications of their formulations.

Contextual Notes

Participants are working under the constraints of a homework assignment, which may impose specific requirements on how the problem should be approached and solved. There are also discussions about the time intervals and the representation of rates in different units.

nrslmz
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Homework Statement


Viruses are reproducing exponentially, while the body eliminates the viruses.
The elimination rate is constant, 50000 per hour. I decided to take down on the minute level, so it would be 50000/60.
Pinitial is 10^6
k is ln(1,6)/240, since the growth rate is 160% in 4 hours.
Then the exponential and differential equation would be:
P(t) = 10^6 * (ln(1,6) * t / 240)




Homework Equations


Then the exponential and differential equation would be:
P(t) = 10^6 * (ln(1,6) * t / 240)



The Attempt at a Solution


dP/dt = P*k ..., right? How can I add up the elimination rate to the differential equation.
And I should integrate this to find the specific moment when the population reaches 10^12? I am somehow not feeling good about this solution. I would appreciate if you help.
 
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Look at the units of dP/dt. P is number of virus, t is time, in seconds. So dP/dt has units of "viruses per second". The right hand side of the equation dP/dt= ... must also have units of "viruses per second" and tells how the number of viruses changes. There are two reasons why that would change:
1) The viruses reproduce at a rate proportional to their number.

2) Some viruses are killed- "50000 per hour" so -5000 viruses per hour has precisely the correct units. Just subtract 5000 from the right side.
 
Sorry, I posted wrong again. The function is P(t) = 10^6 * e^(ln(1,6) * t / 240)
You mean 50000/60 = 833,33? and
Should I write:
dP/dt = P*k -833,33 and than integrate? Bu that would be the same as
P(t) = 10^6 * e^(ln(1,6) * t / 240) - 833,33t
I don't think that would work. Or should I take the limit of
P(t) = 10^6 * e^(ln(1,6) * (t/n) / 240) - 833,33(t/n) when n goes to infinity?
 
nrslmz said:
Sorry, I posted wrong again. The function is P(t) = 10^6 * e^(ln(1,6) * t / 240)
You mean 50000/60 = 833,33? and
Should I write:
dP/dt = P*k -833,33 and than integrate?
You can use 50k directly. As Halls said there is no need to do it per minute.

Bu that would be the same as
P(t) = 10^6 * e^(ln(1,6) * t / 240) - 833,33t
I don't think that would work. Or should I take the limit of
P(t) = 10^6 * e^(ln(1,6) * (t/n) / 240) - 833,33(t/n) when n goes to infinity?
What is n supposed to be here? And what did you work k out to be?
 
Wouldn't the operation be
((( * e^(kt))-50000)* e^(kt))-50000)-50000...

and e^(kt) must be 1.6 since it grows into %160 of its initial population in 4 hours. Therefore t is 4 or 240 depending on the time interval.

I solved e^(k * 240) = 1,6 to find k.
 
nrslmz said:
Sorry, I posted wrong again. The function is P(t) = 10^6 * e^(ln(1,6) * t / 240)
You mean 50000/60 = 833,33? and
Should I write:
dP/dt = P*k -833,33 and than integrate? Bu that would be the same as
P(t) = 10^6 * e^(ln(1,6) * t / 240) - 833,33t
No, it would not. You are not integrating the equation correctly.

I don't think that would work. Or should I take the limit of
P(t) = 10^6 * e^(ln(1,6) * (t/n) / 240) - 833,33(t/n) when n goes to infinity?
 

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