Differential Equation Water Tank Word Problem

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Homework Help Overview

The problem involves a water tank filled with pure water into which two brine solutions are introduced, each containing different concentrations of salt. The task is to formulate a differential equation that describes the change in the amount of salt in the tank over time.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Mathematical reasoning

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss how to derive the differential equation from the problem statement, focusing on the rates of salt entering and leaving the tank.

Discussion Status

Some participants have provided hints and guidance on how to approach the formulation of the differential equation, while others express uncertainty about the initial steps. There is an ongoing exploration of how to represent the inflow and outflow of salt mathematically.

Contextual Notes

Participants are working with specific rates of inflow and outflow, and there is a mention of using time in seconds and the initial weight of salt as part of the problem setup.

aves
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I am having trouble starting this problem:

A tank is filled with 1000 liters of pure water. Brine containing 0.08 kg of salt per liter enters the tank at 9 liters per minute. Another brine solution containing 0.03 kg of salt per liter enters the tank at 9 liters per minute. The contents of the tank are kept thoroughly mixed and the drains from the tank at 18 liters per minute.

A. Determine the differential equation which describes this system. Let S(t) denote the number of kg of salt in the tank after t minutes. Then:
dS/dt=?

Any help on how to start this would be appreciated
 
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welcome to pf!

hi aves! welcome to pf! :wink:

show us what you've tried, and where you're stuck, and then we'll know how to help! :smile:
 
I am not even sure how to make the differential equation out of the word problem. I can do the rest from there, but I just can't figure it out.
 
Hint: in a small interval of time \Delta t > 0, how many kg of salt enters the tank? How many kg of salt leaves the tank?

RGV
 
aves said:
I am not even sure how to make the differential equation out of the word problem. I can do the rest from there, but I just can't figure it out.

ok, let's start with the letters …

the question helps you on this, telling you to use "t" for time, in seconds, and S for the total weight of salt, in kg

now try translating into an equation the effect of …
Brine containing 0.08 kg of salt per liter enters the tank at 9 liters per minute.
 
Would it follow the general equation: S(t)=S0*e^(kt)?
Where t is the time and S0 is the initial weight of salt (0.08 kg)?
 
don't solve it

just write it! :rolleyes:

dS/dt = … ? :smile:
 
Would it be:
dS/dt=0.72+0.27-18S/1000
?
 
Last edited:

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