SmarterEd

Aussie Maths & Science Teachers: Save your time with SmarterEd

Calculus, EXT1* C1 2018 HSC 13c

The population of a country grew exponentially between 1910 and 2010. This population can be modelled by the equation  `P(t) = 92e^(kt)`, where  `P(t)`  is the population of the country in millions, `t` is the time in years after 1910 and `k` is a positive constant. The population of the country in 1960 was 184 million.

  1. Show that the value of `k` is 0.0139, correct to 4 decimal places.  (2 marks)

  2. Assuming that this model continues to be valid after 2010, estimate the population of the country in 2020 to the nearest million.  (2 marks)

Show Answers Only
  1. `text(Proof)\ \ text{(See Worked Solutions)}`
  2. `424\ text{million  (nearest million)}`
Show Worked Solution

i.   `P(t) = 92 e^(kt)`

`text(Find)\ \ k\ \ text(given)\ \ t = 50\ \ text(when)\ \ P = 184`

`184` `= 92 e^(50k)`
`e^(50 k)` `= 2`
`50k` `= ln 2`
`k` `= 1/50 xx ln 2`
  `= 0.01386…`
  `= 0.0139\ \ text{(to 4 d.p.)}`

 

ii.  `text(In 2020),\ t = 110`

`:.\ text(Estimated population)`

`= 92 e^(110 xx 0.0139)`

`= 92 e^1.529`

`= 424.44…`

`= 424\ text{million  (nearest million)}`

Calculus, EXT1* C1 2004 HSC 7b

At the beginning of 1991 Australia’s population was 17 million. At the beginning of 2004 the population was 20 million.

Assume that the population `P` is increasing exponentially and satisfies an equation of the form  `P = Ae^(kt)`, where  `A`  and  `k`  are constants, and  `t`  is measured in years from the beginning of 1991.

  1. Show that  `P = Ae^(kt)`  satisfies  `(dP)/(dt) =kP`.  (1 mark)

  2. What is the value of  `A`?  (1 mark)

  3. Find the value of  `k`.  (2 marks)

  4. Predict the year during which Australia’s population will reach 30 million.  (2 marks)

Show Answers Only
  1. `kP`
  2. `1.7 × 10^7`
  3. `0.013\ \ text(to 3 decimal places.)`
  4. `2036`
Show Worked Solution
i.   `P` `= Ae^(kt)`
  `(dP)/(dt)` `= kAe^(kt)`
    `= kP`

 

ii.  `P = Ae^(kt)`

`text(When)\ \ t = 0, \ P = 1.7 × 10^7`

`1.7 × 10^7` `= Ae^0`
`1.7 × 10^7`  `= A xx 1` 
`:. A` `= 1.7 × 10^7` 

 

iii.  `P = 1.7 × 10^7e^(kt)`

`text(When)\ t = 13, \ P = 2 × 10^7`

`2 × 10^7` `= 1.7 × 10^7e^(13k)`
`(2 × 10^7)/(1.7 × 10^7)` `= e^(13k)`
`ln (2/(1.7))` `= ln e^(13k)`
  `= 13k`
`:.k` `= 1/13 ln (2/(1.7))`
  `= 0.0125…`
  `= 0.013\ \ \ text{(to 3 d.p.)}`

 

iv.  `P` `= 1.7 × 10^7e^(kt)`

`text(Find)\ \ t\ \ text(when)\ \ P = 3 × 10^7,`

MARKER’S COMMENT: Many students had the correct calculations but didn’t answer the question by identifying the exact year and lost a valuable mark.
`3 × 10^7` `= 1.7 × 10^7e^(kt)`
`(3 × 10^7)/(1.7 × 10^7)` `= e^(kt)`
`ln (3/(1.7))` `= ln e^(kt)`
`ln (3/(1.7))` `= kt ln e`
  `= kt`
`:.t` `= (ln (3/(1.7)))/k`
 

`= (ln(3/(1.7)))/(0.0125…)`
  `= 45.433…`
  `= 45.4\ \ text{years    (to 1 d.p.)}`

 

`:.\ text(The population will reach 30 million in 2036.)`

Calculus, EXT1* C1 2007 HSC 8a

One model for the number of mobile phones in use worldwide is the exponential growth model,

`N = Ae^(kt)`,

where `N` is the estimate for the number of mobile phones in use (in millions), and `t` is the time in years after 1 January 2008.

  1. It is estimated that at the start of 2009, when  `t = 1`, there will be 1600 million mobile phones in use, while at the start of 2010, when  `t = 2`, there will be 2600 million. Find `A` and `k`.  (3 marks)

  2. According to the model, during which month and year will the number of mobile phones in use first exceed 4000 million?  (2 marks)

Show Answers Only
  1. `A = (12\ 800)/13, k = log_e\ 13/8`
  2. `text(November 2010)`
Show Worked Solution

i.  `N = Ae^(kt)`

`text(When)\ t = 1,\ N = 1600`

`:. 1600` `= Ae^k`
`A` `= 1600/e^k`

 
`text(When)\ t = 2, N = 2600`

`:. 2600` `= A e^(2k)`
  `= 1600/e^k xx e^(2k)`
  `= 1600 e^k`
`e^k` `= 2600/1600 = 13/8`
`log_e e^k` `= log_e\ 13/8`
`k` `= log_e\ 13/8`
  `=0.4855…`
  `=0.49\ \ \ text{(to 2 d.p.)}`

 

`:. A` `= 1600/(e^(log_e\ 13/8)`
  `= 1600/(13/8)`
  `= (12\ 800)/13`

 

ii.  `text(Find)\ \ t\ \ text(such that)\ N > 4000`

`(12\ 800)/13 xx e^(kt)` `> 4000`
`e^(kt)` `> (13 xx 4000)/(12\800)`
`log_e e^(kt)` `> log_e\ 65/16`
`kt` `> log_e\ 65/16\ \ \ \ (k = log_e\ 13/8)`
`t` `> (log_e\ 65/16)/(log_e\ 13/8`
`t` `> 2.887…\ \ text(years)`
  `>\ text{2 years and 10.6 months (approx)}`

 

`:.\ text(The number of mobile phones in use will exceed)`

`text(4000 million in November 2010.)`

Calculus, EXT1* C1 2010 HSC 8a

Assume that the population,  `P`,  of cane toads in Australia has been growing at a rate proportional to  `P`.  That is,  `(dP)/(dt)=kP`  where `k`  is a positive constant.

There were 102 cane toads brought to Australia from Hawaii in 1935.

Seventy-five years later, in 2010, it is estimated that there are 200 million cane toads in Australia.

If the population continues to grow at this rate, how many cane toads will there be in Australia in 2035?   (4 marks)

Show Answers Only

`2.5xx10^10`

Show Worked Solution

`text(S)text(ince)\ (dP)/(dt)=kP\ \ \ =>\ P=P_0e^(kt)`

NOTE: Students should be comfortable converting 200 million into scientific notation. It can help noting that 200 million `=200xx10^6“=2 xx 10^8`

`text(At)\ \ t=0,\ \ P=102`

`102` `=P_0xxe^0`
`:.P_0` `=102`

 
`text(When)\ \ t=75,\ P=200\ text(million)=2xx10^8`

MARKER’S COMMENT: This question differed from previous years in that it did not ask students to verify that that  `P=P_0e^(kt)`  is a solution to  `(dP)/(dt)=kP`.
`:.2xx10^8` `=102e^(75xxk)`
`e^(75xxk)` `=(2xx10^8)/102`
`75k` `=ln((2xx10^8)/102)`
`k` `=1/75ln((2xx10^8)/102)`
  `=0.1931847…`

 
`text(Find)\ P\ text{when t = 100  (in 2035)`

`P` `=102xxe^(100k),\ \ \ \ \ k=ln((2xx10^8)/102)`
  `=2.503… xx10^10`
  `=2.5xx10^10\ \ text{(to 2 sig. figures)}`

 
`:.\ text(There will be)\ 2.5xx10^10\ text(cane toads.)`

Calculus, EXT1* C1 2011 HSC 10a

The intensity, `I`,  measured in  watt/m2,  of a sound is given by

`I=10^-12xxe^(0.1L)`,

where  `L`  is the loudness of the sound in decibels.

  1. If the loudness of a sound at a concert is 110 decibels, find the intensity of the sound. Give your answer in scientific notation.   (1 mark)

  2. Ear damage occurs if the intensity of a sound is greater than `8.1xx10^-9`  watt/m2.

     

    What is the maximum loudness of a sound so that no ear damage occurs?    (2 marks)

  3. By how much will the loudness of a sound have increased if its intensity has doubled?     (2 marks)

Show Answers Only
  1. `6xx10^-8\ \ text{(1 sig. figure)}`
  2. `90\ text(decibels)`
  3. `7\ text(decibels)`
Show Worked Solution

i.    `text(Find)\ I\ text(when)\ \ L=110`

MARKER’S COMMENT: Note that `e^11 xx 10^-12` is not correct scientific notation.
`I` `=10^-12xxe^(0.1xx110)`
  `=10^-12xxe^11`
  `=5.9874…\ \ xx10^-8`
  `=6xx10^-8\ \ \ text{(to 1 sig. fig.)}`

 

ii.   `text(Find)\ \ L\ \ text(such that)\ \ \ I=8.1xx10^-9`

`text(i.e.)\ \ \  8.1xx10^-9` `=10^-12xxe^(0.1L)`
`e^(0.1L)` `=8.1xx10^3`
`lne^(0.1L)` `=ln8100`
`0.1L xx ln e` `=ln8100`
`L` `=ln8100/0.1`
  `=89.996…`
  `=90\ \ text{(nearest whole)}`

 
`:.\ 90\ text(decibels is the maximum loudness.)`

 

iii.  `text(Let)\ \ I=I_0 e^(0.1L)`

♦♦ Mean mark 32%
MARKER’S COMMENT: Actual values can help here. Calculate the intensity at `L=0` (which equals `1xx10^-12`) and then find `L` when this intensity level is doubled (to `2xx10^-12`).

`text(Find)\ \ L\ \ text(when)\ \ I=2I_0`

`2I_0` `=I_0e^(0.1L)`
`e^(0.1L)` `=2`
`lne^(0.1L)` `=ln2`
`0.1L` `=ln2`
`L` `=ln2/0.1`
  `=6.93147…`
  `=7\ \ text{(nearest whole)}`

 
`:.\ text(The loudness of a sound must increase 7)`

`text(decibels for the intensity to double.)`

Calculus, EXT1* C1 2012 HSC 14c

Professor Smith has a colony of bacteria. Initially there are 1000 bacteria. The number of bacteria,  `N(t)`,  after  `t`  minutes is given by

`N(t)=1000e^(kt)`. 

  1. After 20 minutes there are 2000 bacteria.

     

    Show that `k=0.0347`  correct to four decimal places.   (1 mark)

  2. How many bacteria are there when  `t=120`?    (1 mark)

  3. What is the rate of change of the number of bacteria per minute, when  `t=120`?     (1 mark)

  4. How long does it take for the number of bacteria to increase from 1000 to 100 000?    (2 marks)

Show Answers Only
  1. `text{Proof (See Worked Solutions).}`
  2. `64\ 328`
  3. `2232`
  4. `133\ text(minutes)` 
Show Worked Solution

i.   `N=1000e^(kt)\ text(and given)\ N=2000\ text(when)\  t=20`

`2000` `=1000e^(20xxk)`
`e^(20k)` `=2`
`lne^(20k)` `=ln2`
`20k` `=ln2`
`:.k` `=ln2/20`
  `=0.0347\ \ text{(to 4 d.p.)  … as required}`

 

 ii.  `text(Find)\ \ N\ \ text(when)\  t=120`

NOTE: Students could have used the exact value of  `k=ln2/20`  in parts (ii), (iii) and (iv), which would yield the answers (ii) 64,000, (iii) 2,218, and (iv) 133 minutes.
`N` `=1000e^(120xx0.0347)`
  `=64\ 328.321..`
  `=64\ 328\ \ text{(nearest whole number)}`

 
`:.\ text(There are)\  64\ 328\ text(bacteria when t = 120.)`
 

iii.  `text(Find)\ (dN)/(dt)\ text(when)\  t=120`

MARKER’S COMMENT: This part proved challenging for many students. Differentiation is required to find the rate of change in these type of questions.
`(dN)/(dt)` `=0.0347xx1000e^(0.0347t)`
  `=34.7e^(0.0347t)`

 
`text(When)\ \ t=120`

`(dN)/(dt)` `=34.7e^(0.0347xx120)`
  `=2232.1927…`
  `=2232\ \ text{(nearest whole)}`

 
`:.\ (dN)/(dt)=2232\ text(bacteria per minute at)\  t=120`

 

iv.  `text(Find)\ \ t\ \ text(such that)\  N=100,000`

`=>100\ 000` `=1000e^(0.0347t)`
`e^(0.0347t)` `=100`
`lne^(0.0347t)` `=ln100`
`0.0347t` `=ln100`
`t` `=ln100/0.0347`
  `=132.7138…`
  `=133\ \ text{(nearest minute)}`

 
`:.\ N=100\ 000\ text(when)\  t=133\ text(minutes.)`

Calculus, EXT1* C1 2013 HSC 16b

Trout and carp are types of fish. A lake contains a number of trout. At a certain time, 10 carp are introduced into the lake and start eating the trout. As a consequence, the number of trout,  `N`,  decreases according to

`N=375-e^(0.04t)`,

where `t` is the time in months after the carp are introduced.

The population of carp,  `P`,  increases according to  `(dP)/(dt)=0.02P`.

  1. How many trout were in the lake when the carp were introduced?    (1 mark)

  2. When will the population of trout be zero?    (1 mark)

  3. Sketch the number of trout as a function of time.     (1 marks)

  4. When is the rate of increase of carp equal to the rate of decrease of trout?    (3 marks)

  5. When is the number of carp equal to the number of trout?    (2 marks)

Show Answers Only
  1. `text(374 trout)`
  2. `text{148 months (nearest month)}`
  3.  
     
    2UA 2013 HSC 16b Answer
  4. `text{After 80 months (nearest month)}`
  5. `text{After 135 months (nearest month)}`
Show Worked Solution

i.    `text(Carp introduced at)\ \ t=0`

MARKER’S COMMENT: A number of students did not equate `e^0=1` in this part.

`N=375-e^0=374`

`:.\ text(There was 374 trout when carp were introduced.)`

 

ii.    `text(Trout population will be zero when)`

NOTE: The last line of the solution isn’t necessary but is included as good practice as a check that the answer matches the exact question asked.
`N` `=375-e^(0.04t)=0`
`e^(0.04t)` `=375`
`0.04t` `=ln375`
`t` `=ln375/0.04`
  `=148.173 …`
  `=148\ text{months (nearest month)}`

 
`:.\ text(After 148 months, the trout population will be zero.)`
 

iii.   2UA 2013 HSC 16b Answer

♦♦ Mean mark 33% for part (iii)

 

iv.   `text(We need) \ |(dN)/(dt)|=(dP)/(dt)`

`text(Given)\ N=375-e^(0.04t)`

`(dN)/(dt)=-0.04e^(0.04t)`
  

`text(Find)\ P\ text(in terms of)\  t`

`text(Given)\ (dP)/(dt)=0.02P`

`=> P=Ae^(0.02t)`

♦♦♦ Mean mark 20%
COMMENT: Students who progressed to `0.2e^(0.02t)“=0.04e^(0.04t)` received 2 full marks in this part. Show your working!

 `text(Find)\ A\ \ =>text(when)\  t=0,\ P=10`

`10` `=Ae^0`
`:.A` `=10`
`=>P` `=10xx0.02e^(0.02t)`
  `=0.2e^(0.02t)`

 
`text(Given that)\ \ (dP)/(dt)=|(dN)/(dt)|`

`0.2e^(0.02t)` `=0.04e^(0.04t)`
`5e^(0.02t)` `=e^(0.04t)`
`e^(0.04t)/e^(0.02t)` `=5`
`e^(0.04t-0.02t)` `=5`
`lne^(0.02t)` `=ln5`
`0.02t` `=ln5`
`t` `=ln5/0.02`
  `=80.4719…`
  `=80\ text{months (nearest month)}`

 

v.   `text(Find)\ t\ text(when)\ N=P`

`text(i.e.)\ \ 375-e^(0.04t)` `=10e^(0.02t)`
`e^(0.04t)+10e^(0.02t)-375` `=0`

`text(Let)\ X=e^(0.02t),\ text(noting)\ \ X^2=(e^(0.02t))^2=e^(0.04t)`

♦♦♦ Mean mark 4%!
MARKER’S COMMENT: Correctly applying substitution to exponentials to form a solvable quadratic proved very difficult for almost all students.
`:.\ X^2+10X-375` `=0`
`(X-15)(X+25)` `=0`

`X=15\ \ text(or)\ \ –25`

 
`text(S)text(ince)\  X=e^(0.02t)`

`e^(0.02t)` `=15\ \ \ \ (e^(0.02t)>0)`
`lne^(0.02t)` `=ln15`
`0.02t` `=ln15`
`t` `=ln15/0.02`
  `=135.4025…`
  `=135\ text(months)`