A2 October 2020 Paper 1 Q16

OCR MEICurrent spec25 marksFirst Order Differentials

16 The population density \(P\), in suitable units, of a certain bacterium at time \(t\) hours is to be modelled by a differential equation. Initially, the population density is zero, and its long-term value is \(A\).

(a) One simple model is to assume that the rate of change of population density is directly proportional to \(A - P\).
(i) Formulate a differential equation for this model. [1]
(ii) Verify that \(P = A(1 - \mathrm{e}^{-kt})\), where \(k\) is a positive constant, satisfies
  • this differential equation,
  • the initial condition,
  • the long-term condition.
[3]

An alternative model uses the differential equation

\[\frac{\mathrm{d}P}{\mathrm{d}t} - \frac{P}{t(1 + t^2)} = \mathrm{Q}(t),\]

where \(\mathrm{Q}(t)\) is a function of \(t\).

(b) Find the integrating factor for this differential equation, showing that it can be written in the form \(\dfrac{\sqrt{1 + t^2}}{t}\). [8]
(c) Suppose that \(\mathrm{Q}(t) = 0\).
(i) Show that \(P = \dfrac{At}{\sqrt{1 + t^2}}\). [4]
(ii) Find the time predicted by this model for the population density to reach half its long-term value. Give your answer correct to the nearest minute. [2]
(d) Now suppose that \(\mathrm{Q}(t) = \dfrac{t\mathrm{e}^{-t}}{\sqrt{1 + t^2}}\).
Show that \(P = \dfrac{At - t\mathrm{e}^{-t}}{\sqrt{1 + t^2}}\). [You may assume that \(\displaystyle\lim_{t \to \infty} t\mathrm{e}^{-t} = 0\).] [5]

It is found that the long-term value of \(P\) is 10, and \(P\) reaches half this value after 37 minutes.

(e) Determine which of the models proposed in parts (c) and (d) is more consistent with these data. [2]