1.

0 INTRODUCTION

A differential equation is an equation which describes the relationship between

an unknown function and its derivatives. Many problems in sciences and technology can
be resolved using the solution of differential equation. The need to solve long standing
problems in geometry, physics and astronomy led Isaac Newton (1642-1727) and
Gottfried Leibiz (1646-1716) to develop differential equations. They are both credited
with this initial development. Further improvements were seen in the work of other
mathematicians, namely, Leonhard Euler (1707-1783) who provided a significant
development with his work on finding an integrating factor to solve first order linear
differential equations, and Alexis-Claude Clairaut (1713-1765) who is credited with
finding an equation for the family of curves represented by the general solution. The next
great improvement was in the theory of partial differential equations of the first order,
due to Sophus Lie (1842-1899), by which time the whole subject had been placed on a
rigid foundation (P.W.Wong, Jonathan, M.S.Lye etc, 2012)

2.0 DEFINITION OF DIFERENTIAL EQUATION

Differential equation is an equation with an function and one or more of its

derivative. For example, if an equation with the

function y and its derivative is dy .

dx
 Figure1: Defferential equation.

A differential equation also is an equation which relates an unkwon function of a

single variable with one or more of its derivatives. For example, if the function is y and its

dy d 2 y dy
variable x, then =x+1 and + + y =3 are examples of differential equations
dx d x 2 dx
relating the fundtion y and its dervatives with respect to x. The unknown function y is
also called the dependent variable and x is called the independent variable. Many
processes in science and engineering can be modeled using differential equations
(Asma, Ibrahim and Fadzilah,2014).

The order of a differential equation is the highest derivative involved in the

equation, and the degree is the power of highest derivative in the equation. For example,

d2 y dy
2
+2 +5 y=cos 2 x is a differential equation of order 2 and degree 1.
dx dx

3.0 FORMATION OF EXPONENTIAL GROWTH AND DECAY LAW

A relation between the variables which involved constants are called primitive.

y= A x 3 + B x 2 +C is an example of a primitive with arbitrary constants A, B and C (Asma

etc, 2014). Differential equations are formed when these essential constants are
eliminated from a given primitive. Generally a primitive with n essential constants will
give rise to a differential equation of order n which is free of any constants. To obtain the
differential equation, differentiate the primitive with respect to the independent variable n
times. Then eliminate the constant terms.

To find the solution of a given differential equation, we will have to eliminate all
the derivatives in the differential equation. We are going to solve first order differential
equations which are categorised as separable and linear. The formation of exponential
ia shown in Figure 2.
If we let x(t) represent the number of x growth at time t, the
the rate of change of the population with respect to time is
x’(t). Thus, since x’(t) is proportional to x(t), we have
dx
x ' (t)=kx (t) or =kx
dt
for some constant of proportionality k. Since equation (2.1)
involves the deriavative of an unknown function, we call it a
differential equation. To solve this differential equation, we
must find the function x(t). Assuming that x(t) > 0, we have (2.1)
dx
=kdt
x
Intergrating both sides of equation (2.2) with respect to t,
we obtain
1 (2.2)
∫ x dx=∫ kdt
Evaluating the intergrals, we obtain

ln (x)+c 1=kt +c 2
(2.3)
where c1 and c2 are the constant of intergration. Subtracting
c 1from both sides yields

ln (x)=kt+ ( c 2−c 1 )=kt +c

where we combine the two constant of intehration into one

on the right-hand side and taking the exponentials of both
sides, we get

x=e kt +c =e kt +e c
Since c is an arbitrary constant, we write A = ec and get
kt
x= A e kt or x ( t )= A e
For k > 0, equation (1.4) is called an exponential growth
law and for k < 0, it is an exponential decay law.
(2.4)

Figure 2: Formation of exponential growth and decay law,

4.0 APPLICATION OF DIFFERENTIAL EQUATION

A microbiologist want to research a freshly inoculated bacteria culture of

Streptococcus. Streptococcus is a common group of microorganisms that cause strep
throat. The microbiologist researches the bacteria culture of Streptococcus that contains
100 cells. When the culture is checked 60 minutes later, it is determined that are 450
cells present. Assuming exponential growth, determine the number of cells present any
time t and find the doubling time. (measured in minutes)

4.1 SOLUTION OF EXPONENTIAL GROWTH

Solution:

We know that, exponential growth law means x’(t) = ky(t) and hence, from equation (1.4)
in Figure 2,

x (t)= A ekt
where A and k are constants to be determined. Notice that if we set the starting time to
be t = 0, we have

x ( 0 )=100Equation above is called an initial condition. Setting t = 0 in x ( t )= A ekt we now

have

100 = x (0) = A e0 = A

and hence,

x (t) = 100 ekt

We can
use the x(CELLS)
2500
second
2000

1500

1000

500

0
0 20 40 60 80 100 120 140
observation to determine the value of the growth constant k. We have

450 = x (60) = 100 e60k

Dividing both sides by 100, we have and taking the natural logarithm of both sides,

4.5 = e60k

ln 4.5=lne 60 k

ln 4.5=60 k lne

ln 4.5=60 k

Thus,

ln 4.5
k=
60

k = 0.025067956 ≈ 0.02507

We now have a formula representing the number of cells present at any time t:

ln 4.5
( t)
60
x ( t )=100 e
 t(MINS)

Figure 3: Graph of the projected bacterial growth over the first 120 minutes.

One further question of interest to microbiologists is in the doubling time, that is, the time
it takes for the number of cells to double. We can find this by solving for the time t for
which x(t) = 200. We have

ln 4.5
( t)
60
200=x ( t )=100 e

Dividing boths sides by 100 and taking logs, we obtain

ln 4.5
ln 2= t
60

So that,

60 ln 2
t=
ln 4.5

t = 27.65072324 ≈ 27.65

So, the doubling time for this culture of Streptococcus is about 28 minute. Note that the
doubling time for a bacterium is a function of the specific strain of bacteria as well as the
quality and quantity of food supply, the temperature and other environmental factors.
However, it is not dependent on the initial population and we can easily check that the
population reaches 400 at time:

120 ln 2
t=
ln 4.5

t = 55.30145047 ≈ 55.3

This method can use exactly double the time it took to reach 200.
∴Thus, the population of 100 doubles to 200 in approximately 28 minutes and its
doubles to 400 again in another 28 minuthes and so on.

5.0 CONCLUSION

In conclusion, differential calculus is the study of the definition, properties, and

applications of the derivative pf a function. The process of finding the derivative is called
differentiation. Differentiation is useful and significant in many area of work especially in
problem solving in our daily life.

(1093 words)

REFERENCES

Asma, Ibrahim and Fadzilah. (2014). Comprehensive College Mathematics. Selangor:

Sap Publications (M) Sdn. Bhd.

Basel M. Al- Omar. (2019). Population Projecting Model using Exponential Growth
Function with a Birth and Death Diffusion Rate Processes. European Journal of
Scientific Research, 151(3), 271-276.

calculus/differential-equations.html

Dean Hathout. (2013). Modeling Population Growth: Exponential and Hyperbolic

Modeling. Journal of Scientific Research, 4(2), 299-304.

Math is Fun. Differential Equations. Diperoleh daripada https://www.mathsisfun.com/

P.W. Wong, Jonathan, M.S. Lye etc. (2012). Mathematics (T) Calculus. Selangor:
Oxford Fajar Sdn. Bhd.

Robert T. Smith and Roland B. Minton. (2006). Calculus Concepts and Connections.
United States: McGraw-Hill.

Robert T. Smith and Roland B. Minton. (2007). Calculus. United States: McGraw-Hill.
Stephen J. Hagen. (2010). Exponention Growth of Bacteria: Constant Multiplication
through Division. American Journal of Physics, 78(12), 223-258.

CONTENTS

NO. TOPICS PAGE

1 1.0 INTRODUCTION
2 2.0 DIFINITION OF DIFFERENTIAL EQUATION
3 3.0 FORMATION OF EXPONENTIAL GROWTH AND
DECAY LAW
4 4.0 APPLICATION OF DIFFERENTIAL EQUATION
4.1 SOLUTION OF EXPONENTIAL GROWTH
5 5.0 CONCLUSION
6 REFERENCES