Differential equations - mixing problem (more complicated)

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on solving a differential equation related to a mixing problem in a tank. A 500-gallon tank initially contains 100 gallons of fresh water, with water containing 50% pollutants entering at 2 gal/min and leaving at 1 gal/min. The correct concentration of pollutants when the tank overflows is 48%. The user initially miscalculated the concentration by dividing by the initial volume instead of the total volume at overflow, which is 500 gallons.

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braindead101
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A 500 gallon tank originally contains 100 gallons of fresh water. Beginning at time t=0, water containing 50 percent pollutants flows into the tank at the rate of 2 gal/min and the well stirred solution leaves at the rate of 1 gal/min. Find the concentration of pollutants in the tank at the moment it overflows.

The answer is 48%


my attempt, something is wrong as i did not get that answer or anywhere near it.

rate in: 2 x 0.50
rate out: 1 x s(t)/(100+t)

s'(t) = 1- s(t)/(100+t)
s'(t) + s(t)/(100+t) = 1

a(t) = 1/(100+t) , b(t) = 1

using u(t) = exp(integ(a(t)dt)):
u(t) = exp(integ(a(t)dt))
u(t) = exp (ln (100+t))
u(t) = 100+t

using d/dt u(t)s(t) = u(t)b(t):
d/dt [(100+t)s(t)]= (100+t)(1)
(100+t)s(t)=integ(100+t)
(100+t)s(t) = 100t + 1/2t^2 + C
s(t) = [100t + 1/2t^2 +C ]/(100+t)

sub s(0) = 0 into s(t) [is this even correct?]
0 = [0+0+c]/[100+0]
c= 0
s(t) = [100t + 1/2t^2]/(100+t)

c(t) = s(t)/100
c(t) = [100t + 1/2t^2]/100(100+t)

then i found when the tank overflow:
500 = 100+t
t= 400
then found c(t)

c(400) = [100(400)+1/2(400)^2]/100(100+400)
c(400) = 2.4

which is wrong.

can anyone help me?
 
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braindead101 said:
A 500 gallon tank originally contains 100 gallons of fresh water. Beginning at time t=0, water containing 50 percent pollutants flows into the tank at the rate of 2 gal/min and the well stirred solution leaves at the rate of 1 gal/min. Find the concentration of pollutants in the tank at the moment it overflows.

The answer is 48%


my attempt, something is wrong as i did not get that answer or anywhere near it.

rate in: 2 x 0.50
rate out: 1 x s(t)/(100+t)

s'(t) = 1- s(t)/(100+t)
s'(t) + s(t)/(100+t) = 1

a(t) = 1/(100+t) , b(t) = 1

using u(t) = exp(integ(a(t)dt)):
u(t) = exp(integ(a(t)dt))
u(t) = exp (ln (100+t))
u(t) = 100+t

Okay, good so far.

using d/dt u(t)s(t) = u(t)b(t):
d/dt [(100+t)s(t)]= (100+t)(1)
(100+t)s(t)=integ(100+t)
(100+t)s(t) = 100t + 1/2t^2 + C
s(t) = [100t + 1/2t^2 +C ]/(100+t)

sub s(0) = 0 into s(t) [is this even correct?]
0 = [0+0+c]/[100+0]
c= 0
Yes, that's correct- initially the tank contained "100 gallons of fresh water"

s(t) = [100t + 1/2t^2]/(100+t)

c(t) = s(t)/100

Here's your error! The tank will contain 500 gallons when it overflows, not 100. The concentration is s/500, not s/100.

c(t) = [100t + 1/2t^2]/100(100+t)

then i found when the tank overflow:
500 = 100+t
t= 400
then found c(t)

c(400) = [100(400)+1/2(400)^2]/100(100+400)
c(400) = 2.4

which is wrong.

can anyone help me?
Obviously, a concentration can't be larger than 1! Again, your error is in dividing by 100 gallons, the initial amount of water in the tank, when, at the time of overflow, there are 500 gallons of water in the tank. Divide your answer by 5.
 
thanks very much
that was a stupid mistake on my part!
 

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