AQA Further Paper 1 Specimen — Question 15 11 marks

Exam BoardAQA
ModuleFurther Paper 1 (Further Paper 1)
SessionSpecimen
Marks11
TopicFirst order differential equations (integrating factor)

15 An isolated island is populated by rabbits and foxes. At time \(t\) the number of rabbits is \(x\) and the number of foxes is \(y\). It is assumed that:
  • The number of foxes increases at a rate proportional to the number of rabbits. When there are 200 rabbits the number of foxes is increasing at a rate of 20 foxes per unit period of time.
  • If there were no foxes present, the number of rabbits would increase by \(120 \%\) in a unit period of time.
  • When both foxes and rabbits are present the foxes kill rabbits at a rate that is equal to \(110 \%\) of the current number of foxes.
  • At time \(t = 0\), the number of foxes is 20 and the number of rabbits is 80 .
15
    1. Construct a mathematical model for the number of rabbits.
      [0pt] [9 marks]
      15
  1. (ii) Use this model to show that the number of rabbits has doubled after approximately 0.7 units of time.
    [0pt] [1 mark] 15
  2. Suggest one way in which the model that you have used for the number of rabbits could be refined.
    [0pt] [1 mark]