2023 TJC H2 Math (9758) JC2 MSM: DIFFERENTIAL EQUATIONS

1  x 2 + 1  dy
(i) Find the general solution of the differential equation   = 2. [2]
 x  dx
(ii) Sketch the particular solution of the differential equation in (i) for which y = 0
and x = 0. [2]
(iii) Describe the gradient of every solution curve as x → + . [1]
[2010/MI/Prelim/I/11(b) (modified)]
1 [Solution]
 x 2 + 1  dy dy 2x
(i)   =2  = 2
 x  dx dx x + 1

General solution: y = ln ( x 2 + 1) + c

(ii) When x = 0 and y = 0, c = 0.

( )
Particular solution: y = ln x 2 + 1

Note:

Gradient at x = 0 is

dy 2x
(iii) As x → + , = 2 →0 .
dx x + 1
i.e., the gradient tends towards zero as x → + .

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2023 TJC H2 Math (9758) JC2 MSM: DIFFERENTIAL EQUATIONS

2 Use the substitution u = xy , where u is a function of x, to reduce the differential equation

dy du
x + (1 − x3 ) y − x 2 = 0 to = (u + 1) x 2 .
dx dx
Hence show that the general solution to the differential equation is of the form
Aef ( x ) − 1
y= , where f is a function in x. [5]
x
Sketch, on separate diagrams, the particular solution curve for
(i) A = 2 and (ii) A = −3 . [2]
[2012/RVHS/Prelim/II/1 (modified)]
2 [Solution]
dy
x + (1 − x3 ) y − x 2 = 0 − − − (1)
dx
du dy
Let u = xy  =x +y
dx dx
Subst. into (1):
du
− y + y − x3 y − x 2 = 0
dx
du
− x 2 ( xy ) − x 2 = 0
dx
du
= ux 2 + x 2 = (u + 1) x 2 (shown)
dx
1
 u + 1 du =  x dx
2

x3
ln | u + 1|= + C
3
x3
+C
| u + 1|= e 3

x3
u +1 = Ae 3 where A =  eC
x3
u = Ae − 13

x3
Ae − 1 3
1
y = (shown) and f ( x ) = x 3
x 3
(i) A=2 (ii) A = −3

2
2023 TJC H2 Math (9758) JC2 MSM: DIFFERENTIAL EQUATIONS

3 A new drug for the treatment of diabetes is administered to a patient at a constant rate
of R mg per day. The rate at which the drug is lost from the patient’s body is
proportional to the square of the amount x mg of the drug present in his body at time t
days.
(i) If the amount of drug in the patient remains constant at the instant when it is
dx 4 R 2 − x 2
2R mg, show that = .
dt 4R
Given that x = 0 when t = 0, find x, in terms of R and t. [5]
(ii) Explain the significance of this result in the long run. [1]
[2012/AJC/Prelim/II/4(b)]
3 [Solution]
dx
(i) = R − kx 2 , k is a positive constant
dt
dx
At x = 2 R, =0
dt
1
0 = R − k (2 R)2  0 = R(1 − 4kR)  k =
4R
dx x2 4R2 − x2
 = R− = (shown)
dt 4R 4R
4R
 4R2 − x2 dx = 1 dt
1
4R  dx = 1 dt
( 2R ) − x2
2

4R 2R + x
ln = t +C
2(2 R ) 2 R − x
2R + x
=  eC et
2R − x
2R + x
 = Aet ,where A = eC
2R − x
At t = 0, x = 0  A = 1
2R + x
Hence = et
2R − x
 et − 1 
Making x the subject: x = 2 R  t 
1 + e 
 1
1−
(ii) Dividing by et on both numerator and denominator: x = 2 R  et 
 1 
 t + 1
e 
1
As t → , → 0  x → 2 R [or use graphical method]
et
In the long run, the amount of drug in the body will not exceed 2R mg.

3
2023 TJC H2 Math (9758) JC2 MSM: DIFFERENTIAL EQUATIONS

4 (a) A sample of radium loses mass, by disintegration, at a rate which is proportional

to its mass x at that instant. Write down a differential equation relating x and t,
where t is the number of years from the start of the disintegration.
Given that it would take 1600 years for the sample to lose half of its initial
mass, find how long (to the nearest year) it takes to lose 1% of the
initial mass. [6]

d2 x 1
(b) Solve the differential equation = , given that when t = 0, x = 0.5 and
dt 2
1 + 4t 2
dx
= 0. [6]
dt
[2010/PJC/Prelim/I/13]
4 [Solution]
(a) Let x be the amount of radium at any time t.
dx
= −kx , where k  0
dt
1
 x dx = −k  dt
ln x = −kt + c [Note that x > 0]
x = e− kt + c = Ae− kt
Let m be the initial amount.
When t = 0, x = m, A = m
 x = me− kt
1 1 ln 2
When t = 1600, x = m, m = me−1600 k  k =
2 2 1600
1n 2
− t
 x = me 1600

1n 2
99 99 − t
When x = m, m = me 1600
 t = 23.2
100 100
It will take approximately 23 years (to nearest year) to lose 1% of the initial mass.

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2023 TJC H2 Math (9758) JC2 MSM: DIFFERENTIAL EQUATIONS

d2 x 1
4 (b) =
dt 2
1 + 4t 2
dx 1
= 2 dt
1 + ( 2t )
2
dt
1  tan −1 2t  1 −1
=   + c = tan 2t + c
1 2  2
dx
When t = 0, =0 c=0
dt
dx 1
 = tan −1 2t
dt 2
1
x =  tan −1 2t dt
2
1 2t 
= t tan −1 2t −  dt 
2 1 + 4t 2

1 1 8t 
= t tan −1 2t −  dt 
2 4 1 + 4t 2

1 
= t tan −1 2t − ln (1 + 4t 2 ) + k 
1
2 4 
When t = 0, x = 0.5  k = 1
1
 x =  4t tan −1 2t − ln(1 + 4t 2 ) + 4 
8

5
2023 TJC H2 Math (9758) JC2 MSM: DIFFERENTIAL EQUATIONS

5 It is known that a particular type of bacteria grows very well under certain controlled
conditions in a specially prepared Petri dish. The researcher believes that the growth
dx
rate of such bacteria can be modelled by t 2 − 2 xt = − x 2 , where x milligrams is the
dt
amount of bacteria grown in the dish after t hours.
(i) Using the substitution x = ut 2 , show that the differential equation can be reduced
du
to = −u 2 . [2]
dt
(ii) Find x in terms of t, given that there was 0.2 milligrams of bacteria after 15
minutes. Hence find the amount of this particular type of bacteria after 4 hours.
[4]
(iii) Explain if this mathematical model is a realistic one. [2]
[2012/NJC/Prelim/I/4]
5 [Solution]
dx du
(i) x = ut 2  = 2tu + t 2
dt dt
dx
t2 − 2 xt = − x 2
dt
 du 
 − 2t ( ut ) + ( ut ) = 0
2 2
t 2  2tu + t 2 2

 dt 
du
t4 = −u 2t 4
dt
du
= −u 2 ( shown )
dt
1
(ii)  2 du =  −1dt
u
1
− = −t + C '
u
2
t
= t −C '
x
t2
x= where C = −C '
t +C
 15 1 
Since there was 0.2 milligrams ( x = 0.2 ) of bacteria after 15 minutes  t = =  , then
 60 4 
( 0.25)
2
1
0.2 =  0.05 + 0.2C = 0.0625  C =
0.25 + C 16
2
16t
x =
16t + 1
16 ( 4 )
2
256
When t = 4, x = = or 3.94
16 ( 4 ) + 1 65

6
2023 TJC H2 Math (9758) JC2 MSM: DIFFERENTIAL EQUATIONS

5 16t 2
(iii) As t → , → .
16t + 1
The particular solution of the DE suggests that the amount of bacteria in the Petri dish
will grow indefinitely as time passes. Hence the model is not a realistic one.

6 Jesse leans a 6 metre rod XY in the position as shown below. At time t seconds, the two
ends X and Y are x and y metres from O respectively.

X
O
(i) State an equation relating x and y . [1]

As the rod slips, Jesse proposes that y decreases at a rate proportional to y.

(ii) Based on Jesse’s proposal, show that
dx k (36 − x 2 )
= , where k is a constant. [3]
dt x
Initially, X is 4 metres from O. Take k = 2.
(iii) Find an expression for x in terms of t and find the time taken for Y to be
3 metres from O from the instance Jesse lets go of the rod, giving your answer
to 1 decimal place. [5]
(iv) Sketch the graph of x against t. Hence, comment on whether Jesse’s proposed
model is appropriate. Justify your answer. [3]
[2012/HCI/I/8]
6 [Solution]
(i) x2 + y 2 = 36

dy
(ii) = −ky , where k is a positive constant
dt
x2 + y 2 = 36
Implicit differentiate w.r.t. t,
dx dy
2x + 2 y = 0
dt dt

7
2023 TJC H2 Math (9758) JC2 MSM: DIFFERENTIAL EQUATIONS

dx y dy
=−
dt x dt
y
=− (− ky )
x
y 2 k (36 − x 2 )
=k = (shown)
x x
x
6
 36 − x 2
dx =  2 dt

1 −2 x

−2 36 − x 2
dx =  2 dt

1
− ln 36 − x 2 = 2t + C
2
ln 36 − x 2 = −4t + C '

36 − x 2 = Ae −4t

x 2 = 36 − Ae −4t  x = 36 − Ae −4t ( x  0)
Using initial conditions, when t = 0, x = 4

4 = 36 − A  A = 20

 x = 36 − 20e −4t

For OY to be 3, OX = 36 − 9 = 27

9
 27 = 36 − 20e −4t  e −4t =
20
1 9
 t = − ln = 0.2
4 20

(iv)

Based on Jesse’s model, x will never be 6, i.e., the rod would never fall flat on the
ground. Thus, Jesse’s model is not appropriate.

8
2023 TJC H2 Math (9758) JC2 MSM: DIFFERENTIAL EQUATIONS

7 In a chemical reaction a compound X is formed from a compound Y. The mass in grams

of X and Y present at time t seconds after the start of the reaction are x and y respectively.
The sum of the two masses is equal to 100 grams throughout the reaction. At any time
t, the rate of formation of X is proportional to the mass of Y at that time. When t = 0,
dx
x = 5 and = 1.9 .
dt
dx
(i) Show that x satisfies the differential equation = 0.02(100 − x) . [2]
dt
(ii) Solve this differential equation, obtaining an expression for x in terms of t. [4]
(iii) Calculate the time taken for the mass of compound Y to decrease to half its initial
value. [2]
(iv) Sketch the solution curve obtained in part (ii) and state what happens to compounds
X and Y as t becomes very large. [3]
[2010/SAJC/Prelim/II/2]
7 [Solution]
(i) x + y = 100
dx
 y
dt
dx dx
  (100 − x)  = k (100 − x) , where k is a positive constant
dt dt
dx
Given: When t = 0, x = 5 and = 1.9
dt
1.9 = k (100 – 5)
 k = 0.02
dx
 = 0.02(100 − x) (Shown)
dt
dx
(ii) = 0.02(100 − x)
dt

 
1
 dx = 0.02 dt
100 − x
 − ln 100 − x = 0.02t + C
 100 − x = e −0.02t − C
 100 − x = Ae−0.02t , where A = e−C

When t = 0, x = 5,
95 = A
Thus, x = 100 − 95e−0.02t

9
2023 TJC H2 Math (9758) JC2 MSM: DIFFERENTIAL EQUATIONS

7 (iii) When t = 0, x = 5  y = 95
Initial value of y = 95  Half of initial value = 47.5
When y = 47.5, x = 52.5
52.5 = 100 − 95e−0.02t  t = 34.7
Thus., it takes 34.7s for the mass of compound Y to decrease to half its initial
value.
(iv) x

5
t
As t → , x → 100, y → 0 .

Compound Y will be transformed almost completely to compound X as t

becomes very large.
8 Newton’s Law of Cooling states that the rate of change of the surface temperature of an
object is proportional to the difference between the temperature of the object and the
temperature of its surrounding at that time.
The room temperature in a café is kept constant at 20C by means of its central cooling
system. It was found that the temperature of a cup of coffee left on a table in the café
will drop from 60C to 45C in 10 minutes. Express this information as a differential
equation connecting  in degree Celsius and t in minutes, where  is the temperature of
the coffee at time t.
One day, Daniel bought a cup of “extra hot” coffee and noticed that it took 20 minutes
for the temperature to cool to 45C. What is the temperature of his coffee when he first
bought it? [6]
[2008/ACJC/Prelim/I/7]
8 [Solution]
d
= −k ( − 20 ) , where k is a positive constant
dt
1
  − 20 d = − k dt
 ln ( θ − 20 ) = −kt + C [Note that θ − 20  0]
θ − 20 = e−kt + C = Ae−kt
θ = Ae−kt + 20

When t = t1 ,  = 60 , 60 = Ae−kt1 + 20  Ae−kt1 = 40 --- (1)

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2023 TJC H2 Math (9758) JC2 MSM: DIFFERENTIAL EQUATIONS

45 = Ae ( 1 ) + 20  Ae ( 1 ) = 25 --- (2)
−k t +10 −k t +10
When t = t1 + 10,  = 45 ,
(2) 25
: e −10 k =  k = − 1 ln 5
(1) 40 10 8

()
1 t ln 5 1t
+ 20 = A 5
10
 θ= Ae 10 8 + 20
8

() ()
1t 1t
θ0 = A 5 + 20  θ0 − 20 = A 5
10 2 10 2
When t = t2 ,  =  0 , --- (3)
8 8

45 = A ( 5 ) 25 = A ( 5 )
1 ( t + 20 ) 1 ( t + 20 )
10 2 10 2
When t = t2 + 20,  = 45 , + 20  --- (4)
8 8
2
(4) 25 5 25 + 20 = 84
: =   θ0 =
0 − 20  8 
( )
2
(3) 5
8
The temperature of his coffee when he first bought was 84C.
9 An underground storm canal has a fixed capacity of 6000 m 3 and is able to discharge
rainwater at a rate proportional to V m3 , the volume of rainwater in the storm canal.
On a particular stormy day, rainwater is flowing into the canal at a constant rate of
300 m3 per minute. The storm canal is initially empty. Let t be the time in minutes
for which the rainwater had been flowing into the storm canal,
300(1 − e − kt )
(i) show that V = , where k is a positive constant. [4]
k
A first alarm will be sounded at the control room when the volume of rainwater in the
storm canal reaches 4500 m3 and a second alarm will be sounded when the storm canal
is completely filled. Given that the first alarm was sounded 20 minutes after the
rainwater started flowing into the storm canal.
(ii) Find the time interval between the first and second alarm. (Assuming the weather
condition remains unchanged). [3]
(iii) Briefly discuss the validity of the model for large values of t . [1]
9 [Solution]
dV
(i) = 300 − kV , where k is a positive constant
dt
1
 dV = 1 dt
300 − kV
1
 − ln 300 − kV = t + C
k
 300 − kV = e− k (t + C )
 300 − kV = Ae− kt

When t = 0 , V = 0  300 − 0 = Ae0  A = 300

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2023 TJC H2 Math (9758) JC2 MSM: DIFFERENTIAL EQUATIONS

300(1 − e − kt )
V = (shown)
k

(ii) When t = 20 , V = 4500 ,

300(1 − e −20 k )
 4500 =  15k = 1 − e−20 k
k
From the GC, k = 0.030293
2nd alarm : when V = 6000 ,
300(1 − e−0.030293t )
6000 =  t = 30.7
0.030293
The residents will have 10.7 minutes between the 1st and 2nd alarm.
300
(iii) As t → , V → = 9903 which is impossible as the canal has only a
0.030293
fixed volume of 6000m3 . The model is not valid for large values of t.
10 A toy paratrooper is dropped from a building and the attached parachute opens the
moment it is released. The toy drops vertically and the distance it drops after t seconds
is x metres. The motion of the toy can be modelled by the differential equation
2
d2 x  dx 
+ k   = 10 ,
 dt 
2
dt
where k is a constant.
dx
By substituting velocity, v = , write down a differential equation in v and t. [1]
dt
dv
Given that = 6 when v = 10 , and that the initial velocity of the toy is zero, show
dt
that
5(1 − e −4t )
v= ,
1 + e −4t
and deduce the velocity of the toy in the long run. [6]
The toy is released from a height of 10 metres. Find the time it takes for the toy to reach
the ground. [5]
[2019/ACJC/Prelim/I/11]
10 [Solution]
2
d2 x  dx 
+ k   = 10
 dt 
2
dt

dx dv d 2 x
Substitute v = and = into DE,
dt dt dt 2

dv
 + kv 2 = 10
dt

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2023 TJC H2 Math (9758) JC2 MSM: DIFFERENTIAL EQUATIONS

dv
when v = 10, =6
dt
6 + k ( 10) 2 = 10  k = 0.4

dv
= 10 − 0.4v 2
dt
1
 10 − 0.4v 2
dv =  dt

1 1

0.4 25 − v 2
dv = t + c

1  1  5+v
  ln =t +c
0.4  2(5)  5 − v
1 5+v 5+v
ln = t + c  ln = 4t + d , d = 4c
4 5−v 5−v
5+v
= Ae 4t , A = ed
5−v
5−v 1
= Be −4t , B =
5+v A

when t = 0, v = 0  A = 1
5−v
= e −4t  5 − v = (5 + v)e −4t
5+v
5(1 − e −4t )
v =
1 + e −4t

As t → , v → 5 ms−1

dx 5(1 − e −4t )
=
dt 1 + e −4t

5(1 − e −4t )
x= dt
1 + e −4t
1 e −4t e 4t e −4t
= 5 − d t = 5  1 + e4t 1 + e−4t d t
−
1 + e −4t 1 + e −4t
5
= ln(1 + e 4t ) + ln(1 + e −4t )  + c
4

when t = 0, x = 0  c = −2.5ln 2

5 5
Hence, x = ln(1 + e4t ) + ln(1 + e−4t )  − ln 2 .
4 2

From G.C., when x = 10, t = 2.3465  2.35 s

13