Section 1.

1 Background 5

Although the majority of equations one is likely to encounter in practice fall into the nonlin-
ear category, knowing how to deal with the simpler linear equations is an important first step (just
as tangent lines help our understanding of complicated curves by providing local approximations).

1.1 EXERCISES
In Problems 1–12, a differential equation is given along dp
with the field or problem area in which it arises. Classify 8. " kp A P # p B , where k and P are constants
dt
each as an ordinary differential equation (ODE) or a (logistic curve, epidemiology, economics)
partial differential equation (PDE), give the order, and d4y
indicate the independent and dependent variables. If the 9. 8 4 " x A 1 # x B
equation is an ordinary differential equation, indicate dx
whether the equation is linear or nonlinear. (deflection of beams)
d2y dy
d 2y dy 10. x 2 ! ! xy " 0
1. # 2x ! 2y " 0 dx dx
dx 2 dx
(aerodynamics, stress analysis)
(Hermite’s equation, quantum-mechanical harmonic 0N 0 2N 1 0N
oscillator) 11. " 2 ! ! kN, where k is a constant
0t 0r r 0r
d 2x dx (nuclear fission)
2. 5 ! 4 ! 9x " 2 cos 3t
dt 2 dt d 2y dy
12. 2
# 0.1 A 1 # y 2 B ! 9y " 0
(mechanical vibrations, electrical circuits, seismology) dx dx
(van der Pol’s equation, triode vacuum tube)
0 2u 0 2u
3. 2
! 2"0
0x 0y In Problems 13–16, write a differential equation that fits
(Laplace’s equation, potential theory, electricity, heat, the physical description.
aerodynamics) 13. The rate of change of the population p of bacteria at
time t is proportional to the population at time t.
dy y A 2 # 3x B
4. " 14. The velocity at time t of a particle moving along a
dx x A 1 # 3y B straight line is proportional to the fourth power of its
(competition between two species, ecology) position x.
15. The rate of change in the temperature T of coffee at
dx
5. " k A 4 # x B A 1 # x B , where k is a constant time t is proportional to the difference between the
dt
temperature M of the air at time t and the tempera-
(chemical reaction rates) ture of the coffee at time t.
dy 2 16. The rate of change of the mass A of salt at time t is
6. y c1 ! a b d " C , where C is a constant proportional to the square of the mass of salt present
dx
at time t.
(brachistochrone problem,† calculus of variations) 17. Drag Race. Two drivers, Alison and Kevin, are par-
d2y dy ticipating in a drag race. Beginning from a standing
7. 11 # y 2
! 2x "0 start, they each proceed with a constant acceleration.
dx dx
Alison covers the last 1 / 4 of the distance in 3 sec-
(Kidder’s equation, flow of gases through a porous onds, whereas Kevin covers the last 1 / 3 of the dis-
medium) tance in 4 seconds. Who wins and by how much time?

†
Historical Footnote: In 1630 Galileo formulated the brachistochrone problem A bráxísto$ " shortest, xróno$ " time B , that is, to determine a
path down which a particle will fall from one given point to another in the shortest time. It was reproposed by John Bernoulli in 1696 and solved by
him the following year.