4 The growth of a tree is modelled by the differential equation
$$10 \frac { \mathrm {~d} h } { \mathrm {~d} t } = 20 - h$$
where \(h\) is its height in metres and the time \(t\) is in years. It is assumed that the tree is grown from seed, so that \(h = 0\) when \(t = 0\).
- Write down the value of \(h\) for which \(\frac { \mathrm { d } h } { \mathrm {~d} t } = 0\), and interpret this in terms of the growth of the tree.
- Verify that \(h = 20 \left( 1 - \mathrm { e } ^ { - 0.1 t } \right)\) satisfies this differential equation and its initial condition.
The alternative differential equation
$$200 \frac { \mathrm {~d} h } { \mathrm {~d} t } = 400 - h ^ { 2 }$$
is proposed to model the growth of the tree. As before, \(h = 0\) when \(t = 0\).
- Using partial fractions, show by integration that the solution to the alternative differential equation is
$$h = \frac { 20 \left( 1 - \mathrm { e } ^ { - 0.2 t } \right) } { 1 + \mathrm { e } ^ { - 0.2 t } }$$
- What does this solution indicate about the long-term height of the tree?
- After a year, the tree has grown to a height of 2 m . Which model fits this information better?