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Ch. 9 - Differential Equations
Briggs - Calculus: Early Transcendentals 3rd Edition
Briggs3rd EditionCalculus: Early TranscendentalsISBN: 9780136847243Not the one you use?Change textbook
Chapter 9, Problem 9.2.39a

38–43. Equilibrium solutions A differential equation of the form y′(t)=f(y) is said to be autonomous (the function f depends only on y). The constant function y=y0 is an equilibrium solution of the equation provided f(y0)=0 (because then y'(t)=0 and the solution remains constant for all t). Note that equilibrium solutions correspond to horizontal lines in the direction field. Note also that for autonomous equations, the direction field is independent of t. Carry out the following analysis on the given equations.
a. Find the equilibrium solutions. 


y′(t) = 6 - 2y

Verified step by step guidance
1
Identify the given autonomous differential equation: \(y'(t) = 6 - 2y\).
Recall that equilibrium solutions occur where the derivative \(y'(t)\) is zero, meaning the function \(y(t)\) does not change over time.
Set the right-hand side of the differential equation equal to zero to find equilibrium points: \(6 - 2y = 0\).
Solve the algebraic equation for \(y\) to find the equilibrium value(s): \(2y = 6\) which implies \(y = 3\).
Conclude that the equilibrium solution is the constant function \(y(t) = 3\), which corresponds to a horizontal line in the direction field.

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Key Concepts

Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.

Autonomous Differential Equations

An autonomous differential equation is one where the derivative y' depends only on the variable y, not explicitly on the independent variable t. This means the rate of change is determined solely by the current state y, making the direction field time-invariant and simplifying analysis of equilibrium points.
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Equilibrium Solutions

Equilibrium solutions occur when the derivative y' equals zero, meaning the function y(t) remains constant over time. For autonomous equations y' = f(y), equilibrium solutions satisfy f(y0) = 0. These solutions correspond to horizontal lines in the direction field where the system is at rest.
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Finding Equilibrium Points by Solving f(y) = 0

To find equilibrium solutions, set the right-hand side of the differential equation y' = f(y) equal to zero and solve for y. For example, in y' = 6 - 2y, setting 6 - 2y = 0 yields y = 3, which is the equilibrium solution where the system does not change.
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Related Practice
Textbook Question

{Use of Tech} Analytical solution of the predator-prey equations The solution of the predator-prey equations

X'(t) = -ax + bxy,y’(t) = cy - dxy

can be viewed as parametric equations that describe the solution curves. Assume a, b, c, and d are positive constants and consider solutions in the first quadrant.


a. Recalling that dy/dx = y(t)/x′(t), divide the first equation by the second equation to obtain a separable differential equation in terms of x and y.

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Textbook Question

33–36. {Use of Tech} Computing Euler approximations Use a calculator or computer program to carry out the following steps.

a. Approximate the value of y(T) using Euler’s method with the given time step on the interval [0,T].


y′(t) = t/y, y(0) = 4; Δt = 0.1, T = 2; y(t) = √(t² + 16)

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Textbook Question

A physiological model A common assumption in modeling drug assimilation is that the blood volume in a person is a single compartment that behaves like a stirred tank. Suppose the blood volume is a four-liter tank that initially has a zero concentration of a particular drug. At time t = 0, an intravenous line is inserted into a vein (into the tank) that carries a drug solution with a concentration of 500 mg/L. The inflow rate is 0.06 L/min. Assume the drug is quickly mixed thoroughly in the blood and that the volume of blood remains constant.

a. Write an initial value problem that models the mass of the drug in the blood, for t ≥ 0.

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Textbook Question

38–43. Equilibrium solutions A differential equation of the form y′(t)=f(y) is said to be autonomous (the function f depends only on y). The constant function y=y0 is an equilibrium solution of the equation provided f(y0)=0 (because then y'(t)=0 and the solution remains constant for all t). Note that equilibrium solutions correspond to horizontal lines in the direction field. Note also that for autonomous equations, the direction field is independent of t. Carry out the following analysis on the given equations.

a. Find the equilibrium solutions.


y′(t) = 2y + 4

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Textbook Question

46–48. Analyzing models The following models were discussed in Section 9.1 and reappear in later sections of this chapter. In each case, carry out the indicated analysis using direction fields.

Drug infusion The delivery of a drug (such as an antibiotic) through an intravenous line may be modeled by the differential equation m′(t)+km(t)=I, where m(t) is the mass of the drug in the blood at time t≥0, K is a constant that describes the rate at which the drug is absorbed, and I is the infusion rate. Let I=10mg/hr and k=0.05 hr^−1.

a. Draw the direction field, for 0≤t≤100, 0≤y≤600.

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Textbook Question

Consider the differential equation y'(t)+9y(t)=10.

a. How many arbitrary constants appear in the general solution of the differential equation?

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