Growth model word problem w/differential equations

**emttim84** · April 29th 2008, 07:35 PM

Instructions:

Biology. A population of eight beavers has been introduced into a new wetlands area. Biologists estimate that the maximum population the wetlands can sustain is 60 beavers. After 3 years, the population is 15 beavers. If the population follows a Gompertz growth model, how many beavers will be in the wetlands after 10 years?

Gompertz growth model:

$\frac{dy}{dt}=kyln\frac{60}{y}$

Here's what I did.

$dy=kyln\frac{60}{y}(dt)$

$\frac{dy}{yln\frac{60}{y}}=kydt$

$\int \frac{1}{y(ln60-lny)}dy=\int kdt$

$u=ln60-lny$
$du=-\frac{1}{y}dy$
$-du=\frac{1}{y}dy$

$- \int \frac {1}{u}du = \int kdt$

$-ln|u| = kt + C$

$-|ln60-lny| = e^{kt+c}$

$-ln\frac{60}{y} = Ce^{kt}$

$\frac{60}{y}=e^{-Ce^{kt}}$

$60=e^{-Ce^{kt}}y$

My values for the variables are:

$y=0, t=0<br /> y=15, t=3<br /> y=?, t=10$

However, the solutions manual states the answer for the general soln is

$y=60e^{-Ce^{kt}}$ which is a difference of signs for the constant in the exponential. I'm not sure where I went wrong but I don't want to start plugging in values until I have the right general solution. Help please?

**Mathstud28** · April 29th 2008, 07:40 PM

Originally Posted by emttim84

Instructions:

Biology. A population of eight beavers has been introduced into a new wetlands area. Biologists estimate that the maximum population the wetlands can sustain is 60 beavers. After 3 years, the population is 15 beavers. If the population follows a Gompertz growth model, how many beavers will be in the wetlands after 10 years?

Gompertz growth model:

$\frac{dy}{dt}=kyln\frac{60}{y}$

Here's what I did.

$dy=kyln\frac{60}{y}(dt)$

$\frac{dy}{yln\frac{60}{y}}=kydt$

$\int \frac{1}{y(ln60-lny)}dy=\int kdt$

$u=ln60-lny$
$du=-\frac{1}{y}dy$
$-du=\frac{1}{y}dy$

$- \int \frac {1}{u}du = \int kdt$

$-ln|u| = kt + C$

$-|ln60-lny| = e^{kt+c}$

$-ln\frac{60}{y} = Ce^{kt}$

$\frac{60}{y}=e^{-Ce^{kt}}$

$60=e^{-Ce^{kt}}y$

My values for the variables are:

$y=0, t=0<br /> y=15, t=3<br /> y=?, t=10$

However, the solutions manual states the answer for the general soln is

$y=60e^{-Ce^{kt}}$ which is a difference of signs for the constant in the exponential. I'm not sure where I went wrong but I don't want to start plugging in values until I have the right general solution. Help please?

Your absolute value dissapeared

**emttim84** · April 29th 2008, 07:46 PM

Isn't $-|ln\frac{60}{y}| =$ whatever the same as - $ln\frac{60}{y}=$ whatever since the negative sign is on the outside of the absolute value anyway?

**Mathstud28** · April 29th 2008, 07:47 PM

Originally Posted by emttim84

Isn't $-|ln\frac{60}{y}| =$ whatever the same as - $ln\frac{60}{y}=$ whatever since the negative sign is on the outside of the absolute value anyway?

no...no it doesnt...because say you have $\pm{x}\cdot{-1}$

all this will do is change "when" the negative occurs..not the existence of it...it is still +/-

**emttim84** · April 29th 2008, 08:08 PM

Originally Posted by Mathstud28

no...no it doesnt...because say you have $\pm{x}\cdot{-1}$

all this will do is change "when" the negative occurs..not the existence of it...it is still +/-

Ahh ok...so because of the +/-, since we're talking about population growth, and you can't have a - if it's growth, then it's assumed that the + value of the absolute value should be used?

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