ACCRA TECHNICAL UNIVERSITY

FACULTY OF ENGINEERING
DEPARTMENT OF ELECTRICAL/ELECTRONIC ENGINEERING
END OF SECOND SEMESTER EXAMINATION

1. (a) Solve the following initial-value problems:

i.
dy
− 2y = e2x , y(0) = 3
dx
(5 marks)
ii.
dP 3
+ P = 6, P(1) = 50
dt 5 + t
(5 marks)
(b) An RLC circuit connected in series has R = 8 Ω, C = 0.02 F and L = 0.4 H.
When a constant voltage source is applied, the resulting homogeneous differ-
ential equation for the current I(t) is

d2 I dI
2
+ 16 + 80I = 0
dt dt
i. Find the characteristic equation associated with the differential equation.(3 marks)
ii. Determine the roots of the characteristic equation. (3 marks)
iii. Hence obtain the general solution for the current I(t). (4 marks)
(c) Suppose an individual has an initial investment of GHS 4000 and deposits an
additional GHS 2500 every year into an account that pays 4% interest com-
pounded continuously.
i. Formulate and solve the differential equation describing the balance B(t)
after t years. (6 marks)
ii. Determine the amount in the account after 8 years. (4 marks)

2. (a) Solve the following second–order differential equations:

i.
d2 y dy
2
+ 7 + 10y = 0
dx dx
(5 marks)
ii.
d2 N dN
25 2
− 15 + 2N = 0
dt dt
(5 marks)
 iii.
d2 y dy
+ 2 + 5y = 0
dt2 dt
(5 marks)
(b) A tank initially contains 120 gallons of pure water.
At t = 0, a salt solution containing 2 lb of salt per gallon flows into the tank at
a rate of 4 gal/min, while the well–mixed solution leaves the tank at the same
rate.
i. Formulate and solve the differential equation for the amount of salt S (t)
in the tank at time t. (8 marks)
ii. Determine the amount of salt in the tank after 10 minutes. (7 marks)

3. An RLC series circuit has resistance R = 6 Ω, inductance L = 2 H, and capacitance

1
C = F.
4
A constant voltage source of 15 V is applied at t = 0.
Initially, the charge on the capacitor and the current in the circuit are zero.
(a) Derive the differential equation governing the charge q(t) on the capacitor. (12 marks)
(b) Solve the differential equation using Laplace transforms. (13 marks)
(c) Determine the current i(t) in the circuit. (5 marks)

Page 2
Solutions
.

1. (a) Solve the following initial-value problems.

i.
dy
− 2y = e2x , y(0) = 3
dx
This is a first-order linear differential equation of the form
dy
+ P(x)y = Q(x),
dx
where
P(x) = −2, Q(x) = e2x .
The integrating factor is
R
I.F. = e −2 dx
= e−2x .

Multiplying through by the integrating factor gives

dy
e−2x − 2e−2x y = e−2x e2x = 1.
dx
Hence,
d  −2x 
ye = 1.
dx
Integrating both sides,
ye−2x = x + C.
Therefore,
y = e2x (x + C).
Using the initial condition y(0) = 3,

3 = e0 (0 + C) = C.

Thus,
y = e2x (x + 3) .
ii.
dP 3
+ P = 6, P(1) = 50
dt 5 + t
This is also a first-order linear differential equation:
dP
+ p(t)P = q(t),
dt

Page 3
where
3
p(t) = , q(t) = 6.
5+t
The integrating factor is
R 3
I.F. = e 5+t dt
= e3 ln(5+t) = (5 + t)3 .

Multiplying the equation through by (5 + t)3 gives

dP
(5 + t)3 + 3(5 + t)2 P = 6(5 + t)3 .
dt
Thus,
d h i
(5 + t)3 P = 6(5 + t)3 .
dt
Integrating both sides,
Z
(5 + t) P = 3
6(5 + t)3 dt.

Let u = 5 + t, so that du = dt. Then

u4
Z
3
(5 + t) P = 6 u3 du = 6 ·
3
+ C = u4 + C.
4 2
Substituting back,
3
(5 + t)3 P = (5 + t)4 + C.
2
Hence,
3 C
P = (5 + t) + .
2 (5 + t)3
Using P(1) = 50,
3 C C
50 = (6) + 3 = 9 + .
2 6 216
So,
C
50 − 9 =
216
C
41 =
216
C = 8856.
Therefore,
3 8856
P(t) = (5 + t) + .
2 (5 + t)3

Page 4
(b) Consider the differential equation
d2 I dI
+ 16 + 80I = 0.
dt2 dt
i. Find the characteristic equation.
Assume a trial solution of the form

I = emt .

Then
dI d2 I
= memt , 2
= m2 emt .
dt dt
Substituting into the differential equation gives

m2 emt + 16memt + 80emt = 0.

Since emt , 0, we obtain the characteristic equation

m2 + 16m + 80 = 0 .

ii. Determine the roots.

Solve
m2 + 16m + 80 = 0.
Using the quadratic formula,
p √ √
−16 ± 162 − 4(1)(80) −16 ± 256 − 320 −16 ± −64
m= = = .
2 2 2
Thus,
−16 ± 8i
m= = −8 ± 4i.
2
Hence the roots are
m = −8 ± 4i .
iii. Hence obtain the general solution.
For roots of the form
m = α ± βi,
the general solution is

I(t) = eαt (C1 cos βt + C2 sin βt).

Here,
α = −8, β = 4.
Therefore,
I(t) = e−8t (C1 cos 4t + C2 sin 4t) .

Page 5
(c) Initial investment problem.
Let B(t) denote the bank balance after t years.
Interest is compounded continuously at 4%, so the growth due to interest is

0.04B.

An additional amount of GHS 2500 is deposited each year, so the model is

dB
= 0.04B + 2500.
dt
Rewriting,
dB
− 0.04B = 2500, B(0) = 4000.
dt
i. Solve for B(t).
This is a linear equation with integrating factor
R
I.F. = e −0.04 dt
= e−0.04t .

Multiplying through,
dB
e−0.04t − 0.04e−0.04t B = 2500e−0.04t .
dt
Hence,
d  −0.04t 
Be = 2500e−0.04t .
dt
Integrating, Z
Be −0.04t
= 2500 e−0.04t dt + C.

Now,
e−0.04t
Z
e−0.04t dt = = −25e−0.04t .
−0.04
So,
Be−0.04t = 2500(−25)e−0.04t + C = −62500e−0.04t + C.
Multiply by e0.04t :
B = −62500 + Ce0.04t .
Using B(0) = 4000,
4000 = −62500 + C.
Thus,
C = 66500.
Therefore,
B(t) = 66500e0.04t − 62500 .

Page 6
 ii. Find the amount after 8 years.
Substitute t = 8:
B(8) = 66500e0.32 − 62500.
Using
e0.32 ≈ 1.37713,
we get
B(8) ≈ 66500(1.37713) − 62500.

B(8) ≈ 91579.145 − 62500 = 29079.145.

Hence,
B(8) ≈ GHS 29,079.15.

3. An RLC series circuit has

1
R = 6 Ω, L = 2 H, C= F,
4
with constant applied voltage
E(t) = 15 V,
and initial conditions
q(0) = 0, i(0) = 0.

Recall that
dq
i(t) = .
dt
For a series RLC circuit, Kirchhoff’s voltage law gives
di 1
L + Ri + q = E(t).
dt C

Since
dq
i= ,
dt
we have
di d2 q
= 2.
dt dt
Therefore,
d2 q dq 1
L 2
+ R + q = E(t).
dt dt C

Page 7
Substituting the given values,

d2 q dq
2 2
+ 6 + 4q = 15.
dt dt

Hence the governing equation is

2q′′ + 6q′ + 4q = 15

or equivalently
15
q′′ + 3q′ + 2q = .
2
(a) Derive the differential equation governing the charge q(t).
As shown above,
1
Lq′′ + Rq′ + q = E(t).
C
Substituting
1
L = 2, R = 6, C= , E(t) = 15,
4
gives
2q′′ + 6q′ + 4q = 15.
Thus,
2q′′ + 6q′ + 4q = 15, q(0) = 0, q′ (0) = 0.
(b) Solve the differential equation using Laplace transforms.
We solve
2q′′ + 6q′ + 4q = 15
with
q(0) = 0, q′ (0) = 0.
Taking Laplace transforms:

2L{q′′ } + 6L{q′ } + 4L{q} = L{15}.

Using
L{q′′ } = s2 Q(s) − sq(0) − q′ (0) = s2 Q(s),
L{q′ } = sQ(s) − q(0) = sQ(s),
and
15
L{15} = ,
s

Page 8
we get
15
2s2 Q(s) + 6sQ(s) + 4Q(s) = .
s
Factor out Q(s):
15
Q(s)(2s2 + 6s + 4) = .
s
Thus,
15
Q(s) = .
s(2s2 + 6s + 4)
Factor the quadratic:

2s2 + 6s + 4 = 2(s2 + 3s + 2) = 2(s + 1)(s + 2).

Hence,
15
Q(s) = .
2s(s + 1)(s + 2)
Use partial fractions:
15 A B C
= + + .
2s(s + 1)(s + 2) s s+1 s+2

Thus,
15
= A(s + 1)(s + 2) + Bs(s + 2) + Cs(s + 1).
2
Expanding,
15
= A(s2 + 3s + 2) + B(s2 + 2s) + C(s2 + s).
2
Equating coefficients,
15
(A + B + C)s2 + (3A + 2B + C)s + 2A = .
2
Hence,
A + B + C = 0,
3A + 2B + C = 0,
15
2A = .
2
So,
15
A= .
4

Page 9
 Then
15 15
+ B+C = 0 ⇒ B+C = − ,
4 4
!
15 45
3 + 2B + C = 0 ⇒ + 2B + C = 0.
4 4
Subtracting the first from the second:
! !
45 15
+ 2B + C − (B + C) = 0 − − ,
4 4

45 15
+B= ,
4 4
30 15
B=− =− .
4 2
Hence,
15 15 30 15
C=− −B=− + = .
4 4 4 4
Therefore,
15 1 15 1 15 1
Q(s) = · − · + · .
4 s 2 s+1 4 s+2
Taking inverse Laplace transforms,
15 15 −t 15 −2t
q(t) = − e + e .
4 2 4
Thus,
15 15 −t 15 −2t
q(t) = − e + e .
4 2 4
(c) Determine the current i(t).
Since
dq
i(t) = ,
dt
differentiate:
15 15 −t 15 −2t
q(t) = − e + e .
4 2 4
Therefore,
15 −t 15 −2t
i(t) = 0 + e − e .
2 2
Hence,
15 −t 15 −2t
i(t) = e − e .
2 2

Page 10
 An RLC series circuit has resistance R = 8 Ω, inductance L = 1 H, and capacitance
1
C = F.
5
A constant voltage source of 20 V is applied at t = 0.
Initially, the charge on the capacitor and the current in the circuit are zero.
(a) Derive the differential equation governing the charge q(t) on the capacitor. (12 marks)

(b) Solve the differential equation using Laplace transforms. (13 marks)

(c) Determine the current i(t). (5 marks)

Page 11
 For a series RLC circuit, Kirchhoff’s Voltage Law gives
di 1
L + Ri + q = E(t),
dt C
where
dq
i(t) = .
dt
Hence,
d2 q dq 1
L 2
+ R + q = E(t).
dt dt C
Given that
1
R = 8 Ω, L = 1 H, C= F, E(t) = 20,
5
we substitute into the equation.
(a) Derive the differential equation governing the charge q(t).
Substituting the values into
1
Lq′′ + Rq′ + q = E(t),
C
we obtain
1
1 · q′′ + 8q′ + q = 20.
1/5
Since
1
= 5,
1/5
the governing differential equation becomes

d2 q dq
2
+ 8 + 5q = 20.
dt dt

The initial conditions are:

q(0) = 0, i(0) = 0.

Since
dq
i(t) = ,
dt
we also have
q′ (0) = 0.

Thus the initial value problem is

q′′ + 8q′ + 5q = 20, q(0) = 0, q′ (0) = 0.

Page 12
(b) Solve the differential equation using Laplace transforms.
We take Laplace transforms of

q′′ + 8q′ + 5q = 20.

Let
L{q(t)} = Q(s).

Using the initial conditions,

L{q′′ } = s2 Q(s) − sq(0) − q′ (0) = s2 Q(s),

L{q′ } = sQ(s) − q(0) = sQ(s),

and
20
L{20} = .
s
Therefore,
20
s2 Q(s) + 8sQ(s) + 5Q(s) = .
s
Factor out Q(s):
20
Q(s)(s2 + 8s + 5) = .
s
Hence,
20
Q(s) = .
s(s2 + 8s + 5)
Now factor the quadratic:
√ √
s2 + 8s + 5 = (s + 4 − 11)(s + 4 + 11).

So,
20
Q(s) = √ √ .
s(s + 4 − 11)(s + 4 + 11)
We now decompose into partial fractions:
20 A Bs + C
= + 2 .
s(s2 + 8s + 5) s s + 8s + 5

Multiplying through by s(s2 + 8s + 5) gives

20 = A(s2 + 8s + 5) + (Bs + C)s.

Page 13
Expanding:
20 = As2 + 8As + 5A + Bs2 + Cs.

Collecting like terms,

20 = (A + B)s2 + (8A + C)s + 5A.

Equating coefficients:
A + B = 0,
8A + C = 0,
5A = 20.

Thus,
A = 4, B = −4, C = −32.

Therefore,
4 −4s − 32
Q(s) = + 2 .
s s + 8s + 5
Complete the square in the denominator:

s2 + 8s + 5 = (s + 4)2 − 11.

Rewrite the numerator:

−4s − 32 = −4(s + 4) − 16.

So,
4 4(s + 4) 16
Q(s) = − − .
s (s + 4) − 11 (s + 4)2 − 11
2

Recall that ( )
s−a
L −1
= eat cosh(bt),
(s − a)2 − b2
and ( )
b
L −1
2 2
= eat sinh(bt).
(s − a) − b
Here, √
a = −4, b= 11.

Thus,
s+4 √
( )
L −1
= e−4t
cosh( 11 t),
(s + 4)2 − 11

Page 14
 and
√
( )
1 1 −4t
L −1
= √ e sinh( 11 t).
(s + 4)2 − 11 11
Hence,
√ 16 √
q(t) = 4 − 4e−4t cosh( 11 t) − √ e−4t sinh( 11 t).
11
Therefore,
√ 16 √
q(t) = 4 − 4e−4t cosh( 11 t) − √ e−4t sinh( 11 t) .
11

(c) Determine the current i(t).

Since
dq
i(t) = ,
dt
differentiate
√ 16 √
q(t) = 4 − 4e−4t cosh( 11 t) − √ e−4t sinh( 11 t).
11
Now,
d  −4t √  √ √ √
e cosh( 11 t) = −4e−4t cosh( 11 t) + 11 e−4t sinh( 11 t),
dt
and
d  −4t √  √ √ √
e sinh( 11 t) = −4e−4t sinh( 11 t) + 11 e−4t cosh( 11 t).
dt
Therefore,
√ √ √ 64 √ √
i(t) = 16e−4t cosh( 11 t)−4 11 e−4t sinh( 11 t)+ √ e−4t sinh( 11 t)−16e−4t cosh( 11 t).
11
The cosh terms cancel, so
√ √
!
64
i(t) = −4 11 + √ e−4t sinh( 11 t).
11
Taking LCM,
√ 64 −44 + 64 20
−4 11 + √ = √ = √ .
11 11 11
Thus,
20 √
i(t) = √ e−4t sinh( 11 t) .
11

Page 15