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STPM 2025 Mathematics T Coursework

The document outlines an assignment for the STPM 2025 Mathematics (T) coursework focusing on differential equations, including their definitions, classifications, and applications in modeling natural phenomena. It consists of multiple tasks requiring the definition of first-order differential equations, classification and solution of given equations, and a mathematical modeling problem related to mixing solutions in a tank. The document emphasizes the importance of assumptions in modeling and provides specific tasks for students to demonstrate their understanding and application of differential equations.

Uploaded by

TAN RU XIAN Moe
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

Topics covered

  • mathematical functions,
  • natural phenomena,
  • solution methods,
  • asymptotes,
  • biology applications,
  • rate of flow,
  • homogeneous equations,
  • physical representation,
  • linear equations,
  • mathematical investigation
0% found this document useful (0 votes)
4K views3 pages

STPM 2025 Mathematics T Coursework

The document outlines an assignment for the STPM 2025 Mathematics (T) coursework focusing on differential equations, including their definitions, classifications, and applications in modeling natural phenomena. It consists of multiple tasks requiring the definition of first-order differential equations, classification and solution of given equations, and a mathematical modeling problem related to mixing solutions in a tank. The document emphasizes the importance of assumptions in modeling and provides specific tasks for students to demonstrate their understanding and application of differential equations.

Uploaded by

TAN RU XIAN Moe
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

Topics covered

  • mathematical functions,
  • natural phenomena,
  • solution methods,
  • asymptotes,
  • biology applications,
  • rate of flow,
  • homogeneous equations,
  • physical representation,
  • linear equations,
  • mathematical investigation

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MATHEMATICS (T) COURSEWORK STPM 2025

Assignment B: Mathematical Investigation and Modelling

A differential equation is a mathematical equation that relates one or more unknown functions
and their derivatives. In daily applications, the functions generally represent physical quantities, the
derivatives represent rates of change, and the differential equation defines their relationship. Such
relations are common; therefore, differential equations play a prominent role in many fields
including engineering, physics, chemistry and biology.
The study of differential equations consists mainly on their solutions which is the set of functions
that satisfy the differential equation and the properties of their solutions. However, only certain
differential equations are solvable analytically, while other differential equations may be solved
numerically.
A differential equation can be used as a tool to model natural phenomena. Modelling is the
process of representing a physical situation mathematically. In all these situations, we need to make
assumptions that do not accurately depict reality in most cases, but without them the problems would
be very difficult and beyond the scope of this discussion. By solving the differential equation, we can
find the relation between the variables, hence we can better understand the occurrence of natural
phenomena.

Task 1:

Define each of the following first order differential equations by providing suitable examples:
(a) Separable
(b) Linear
(c) Homogeneous

Task 2:

Classify and find the particular solution for each of the following first order differential equations:
dx  
(a)  cos2  − x cos2  =  2 , which satisfies the condition x = when  =
d 3 4
dp
(b) q 2 = (1 + q 2 )(1 + p 2 ) , which satisfies the condition p = 1 when q = 1
dq

dy
(c) ( x3 + xy 2 ) = y 3 , which satisfies the condition y = 1 when x = 1
dx
dm
(d) 2t − m = 4t 2 (ln t ) , which satisfies the condition m = 2 when t = 1
dt

STPM 2025 - 954/4 7


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MATHEMATICS (T) COURSEWORK STPM 2025

Task 3:

Solve each of the following differential equations using at least two different methods:
dy 1 1
(a) + cot y = 2 cosec y
dx x x
ds
(b) t −s=2
dt
dy
(c) 3xy 2 = 4 y 3 + x3
dx
1 dv
(d) − tv = t
2t dt

Task 4:

Let's do a mathematical modelling on the mixing problem. Differential equations can be helpful in
calculating the mass of salt, x, in kilogram, at any given time, t, in a large tank. For instance, let say
we have a large tank that has 1000 litres of pure water. The salt solution with concentration of
0.5 kilogram per litre, is flowing into the tank at a rate of p litres per minute. It is thoroughly mixed
with the solution that is already in the tank. At the bottom of the tank, there is a pipe draining the
mixed solution at the rate of q litres per minute.

p litres per minute

1000 litres of pure water

q litres per minute

(a) State the assumption(s) in the mixing problem.


(b) lf x(t) is the amount of salt in the tank at t minutes, obtain the differential equation that models
the above mixing problem.
(c) Express x in terms of t, for the following cases by choosing your own values of p and q, where
0 < p < 10 and 0 < q < 10, which satisfy the conditions:
(i) p=q
(ii) p>q
(iii) p<q

STPM 2025 - 954/4 8


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MATHEMATICS (T) COURSEWORK STPM 2025

(d) For each case in (c),


(i) plot the graph of x(t) against t,
(ii) estimate the time taken for the concentration of the salt in the tank becomes 0.3 kilogram
per litre ,
(iii) calculate the amount of salt in the tank when t = k minutes (k is predefined),
(iv) find the limiting value of x.
(e) Comment on the results obtained in (d).
(f) Plot all graphs in (d)(i) on the same coordinates axes and indicate all asymptotes. Discuss the
comparison between the graphs when t = 0, t = 200, t = 500 and t = 1000.

STPM 2025 - 954/4 9

Common questions

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A first order differential equation is linear if it can be expressed in the form dy/dx + P(x)y = Q(x) where P(x) and Q(x) are functions of x only. An example is dy/dx + 2xy = sin(x), where P(x) = 2x and Q(x) = sin(x).

To solve d3xy^2/dx^3 = 4x^2, the method of separation of variables could be applied by rewriting the equation in a separable form and integrating each side separately. Alternatively, the substitution method could be used if a suitable substitution simplifies the differential equation .

The assumptions in the mixing problem include: the solution is perfectly mixed instantly, the rates of flow in and out of the tank are constant, and no chemical reactions occur within the tank .

For p = q, the salt concentration reaches a steady state as inflow equals outflow. For p > q, the concentration increases over time since more salt enters than leaves. For p < q, the concentration decreases with time as more solution is drained than refilled .

The differential equation is derived by setting the rate of change of salt in the tank equal to the rate of entering salt minus the rate of leaving salt. If p is the inflow rate and q is the outflow, the equation is dx/dt = 0.5p - (x/1000)q, assuming x(t) is the amount of salt at time t and initial salt is zero .

Mathematical modeling using differential equations can represent the dynamic relations between varying quantities and provide insights into natural phenomena by predicting system behavior over time. A crucial assumption is that the model simplifies reality; factors that are complex or unquantifiable may be omitted, leading to less accurate but more manageable models .

The solution trends can be plotted with x(t) against time, showing different trends for cases such as p = q (steady), p > q (increasing), and p < q (decreasing). Assumptions like ideal mixing, constant rates, and ignoring saturation effects can significantly affect the accuracy of these graphical trends .

Finding a particular solution involves determining a specific function that satisfies both the differential equation and given initial conditions. In contrast, finding a general solution involves solving the differential equation without considering initial conditions, yielding a family of functions .

Differential equations model dynamic systems in engineering, such as predicting temperature changes in heat transfer, analyzing stresses in mechanical systems, or modeling electrical circuit behaviors, thereby supporting solutions to complex engineering challenges by simulating system responses over time .

A separable differential equation is one where the variables can be separated on different sides of the equation, allowing the equation to be written in the form g(y) dy = f(x) dx. This separation of variables enables the integration of both sides independently. An example of a separable differential equation is dy/dx = xy, which can be rewritten as dy/y = x dx and then integrated to find the solution.

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