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: The population starts at and approaches the carrying capacity as .
Step-by-step solution
Step 1: Separate variables
The given logistic differential equation is . To solve this, we first separate the variables and to prepare for integration. We move all terms involving to one side and all terms involving 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 . 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 into partial fractions . By equating the numerators, . Setting gives , so . Setting gives , so .
Step 4: Integrate and solve for P
Now we integrate the decomposed fractions. The integral of is and the integral of is . Combining the logarithms and exponentiating both sides, we get , where .
Step 5: Apply initial condition and solve for P(t)
We use the initial condition to find the constant . Substituting and into the equation , we find . Substituting back and solving for gives the logistic growth function.
Step 6: Analyze the behavior of P(t)
As , , so . This means the population approaches the carrying capacity . As , , so . The population starts from and grows towards if . If , the population decreases towards . If , the population remains constant at . If , the population remains 0.