Differential Equation Mixing Problem

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on a differential equation problem involving the mixing of Kool-Aid in Lake Alpha after a truck accident. The rate of change of Kool-Aid, represented as dx/dt, is derived from the inflow and outflow of water. The correct formulation is dx/dt = 200 - 0.08x, where 200 liters per hour is the inflow and 0.08x represents the concentration of Kool-Aid being removed from the lake. The relevance of Lake Beta is dismissed as it does not impact the calculations for Lake Alpha.

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Homework Statement


Suppose the clean water of a stream flows into Lake Alpha, then into Lake Beta, and then further downstream. The in and out flow for each lake is 200 liters per hour. Lake Alpha contains 500 thousand liters of water, and Lake Beta contains 400 thousand liters of water. A truck with 200 kilograms of Kool-Aid drink mix crashes into Lake Alpha. Assume that the water is being continually mixed perfectly by the stream.

Let x be the amount of Kool-Aid, in kilograms, in Lake Alpha t hours after the crash. Find a formula for the rate of change in the amount of Kool-Aid, dx/dt, in terms of the amount of Kool-Aid in the lake x.

The Attempt at a Solution


\frac{dx}{dt}=xin-xout

I was thinking it was:

\frac{200L}{hr}-(\frac{200x kg}{500000L}x\frac{200L}{hr})

=200-.08x

But I've gone wrong somewhere.
 
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If you have x Kool Aid at time t, how much of it will go away in delta t?
 
If X(t) is the amount of Kool-ade in lake alpha, how much Kool-Ade is there in each liter of water? Since water is flowing out of lake alpha at 200 liters per hour, how much Kool-ade is taken out of lake alpha every hour? There is NO Kool-ade coming in. And lake beta is irrelevant to this problem.
 

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