A population grows according to the logistic equation dP/dt = rP(1-P/K). If P(0) = P₀, find P(t) and analyze its behavior.

Answer: P(t)=KP0P0+(K−P0)e−rtP(t) = \frac{K P_0}{P_0 + (K-P_0)e^{-rt}} The population P(t)P(t) starts at P0P_0 and approaches the carrying capacity KK as t→∞t \to \infty.

Step-by-step solution

Step 1: Separate variables

The given logistic differential equation is dPdt=rP(1−PK)\frac{dP}{dt} = rP\left(1-\frac{P}{K}\right). To solve this, we first separate the variables PP and tt to prepare for integration. We move all terms involving PP to one side and all terms involving tt to the other side.

Step 2: Integrate both sides using partial fractions

Before integrating, we can simplify the left side by multiplying the numerator and denominator by KK. Then, we use partial fraction decomposition for the integral on the left side. The integral of the right side is straightforward.

Step 3: Perform partial fraction decomposition

We decompose the fraction KP(K−P)\frac{K}{P(K-P)} into partial fractions AP+BK−P\frac{A}{P} + \frac{B}{K-P}. By equating the numerators, K=A(K−P)+BPK = A(K-P) + BP. Setting P=0P=0 gives K=AKK=AK, so A=1A=1. Setting P=KP=K gives K=BKK=BK, so B=1B=1.

Step 4: Integrate and solve for P

Now we integrate the decomposed fractions. The integral of 1P\frac{1}{P} is ln⁡∣P∣\ln|P| and the integral of 1K−P\frac{1}{K-P} is −ln⁡∣K−P∣-\ln|K-P|. Combining the logarithms and exponentiating both sides, we get PK−P=Aert\frac{P}{K-P} = A e^{rt}, where A=eCA = e^C.

Step 5: Apply initial condition and solve for P(t)

We use the initial condition P(0)=P0P(0) = P_0 to find the constant AA. Substituting t=0t=0 and P=P0P=P_0 into the equation PK−P=Aert\frac{P}{K-P} = A e^{rt}, we find A=P0K−P0A = \frac{P_0}{K-P_0}. Substituting AA back and solving for P(t)P(t) gives the logistic growth function.

Step 6: Analyze the behavior of P(t)

As t→∞t \to \infty, e−rt→0e^{-rt} \to 0, so P(t)→KP0P0=KP(t) \to \frac{K P_0}{P_0} = K. This means the population approaches the carrying capacity KK. As t→−∞t \to -\infty, e−rt→∞e^{-rt} \to \infty, so P(t)→0P(t) \to 0. The population starts from P0P_0 and grows towards KK if 0<P0<K0 < P_0 < K. If P0>KP_0 > K, the population decreases towards KK. If P0=KP_0 = K, the population remains constant at KK. If P0=0P_0 = 0, the population remains 0.

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