Example #1

A 120-gallon tank holds purified water.

Saltwater with 1.5 lbs of salt per gallon leaks
into the tank at 2 gallons per minute. The
mixture in the tank is constantly mixed,
and it flows out of the tank at 3 gallons per
minute. How much salt would be in the water
after 10 minutes?

Step 1

GIVEN
G
By reading the given problem, we can get the
following:
𝐶%&
V0=120 gal 𝑄%&

Cin=1.5 lb/gal
Qin=2 gal/min
Qout=3 gal/min 𝐶()*
𝑋" 𝑄()*

𝑉"
and we are finding the amount of salt in the
water after 10 minutes. (t=10, x=?)

Step 2

FORMULATE
F
With no added conditions, we would use the
equation

𝑑𝑥
= 𝐶%& 𝑄%& − 𝐶()* 𝑄()*
𝑑𝑡

Since Cout was not given in the problem, we
can substitute Cout with the equations

𝑥
𝐶= , 𝑤ℎ𝑒𝑟𝑒 𝑉 = 𝑉6 + (𝑄%& − 𝑄()* )𝑡
𝑉

Substituting these in, our working equation

is

𝑑𝑥 𝑥
= 𝐶%& 𝑄%& − ( )(𝑄()* )
𝑑𝑡 𝑉6 + (𝑄%& − 𝑄()* )𝑡

Step 3

SOLVE
S
We can now substitute all of the given in our
working equation, yielding

𝑑𝑥 𝑥
= (1.5)(2) − > A (3)
𝑑𝑡 120 + (2 − 3)𝑡

Simplifying, we get the equation

𝑑𝑥 3
=3−> A (𝑥 )
𝑑𝑡 120 − 𝑡

Through transposing, we can rewrite our

working equation to follow the general form
for solving first order linear differential
equations

𝑑𝑥
+ 𝑃(𝑡)𝑥 = 𝑄(𝑡)
𝑑𝑡
Yielding

𝑑𝑥 3
+> A (𝑥 ) = 3
𝑑𝑡 120 − 𝑡
D
Where P(t)= C I and Q(t)=3
EF6G𝒕

To find the integrating factor we use the

equation

𝜇 (𝑡) = 𝑒 ∫ L(*)M*

Substituting P(t) we have

D
∫CEF6G𝒕IM*
𝜇 (𝑡 ) = 𝑒
M*
D ∫CEF6G𝒕I
𝜇 (𝑡 ) = 𝑒

Solving to find the integrating factor, we get

M*
D ∫CEF6G𝒕I
𝜇 (𝑡 ) = 𝑒
𝜇 (𝑡) = 𝑒 GD NO(EF6G*)
PQ
𝜇 (𝑡) = 𝑒 NO(EF6G*)
𝜇 (𝑡) = (120 − t)GD
 1
𝜇 (𝑡 ) =
(120 − t)D

Then we will substitute 𝜇 (𝑡) and 𝑄 (𝑡 ) into the

following equation

𝜇 (𝑡)𝑥 = S 𝑄(𝑡)𝜇(𝑡)𝑑𝑡 + 𝐶

Substitute the known values we get

1 1
(𝑥 ) = S 3 > A 𝑑𝑡 + 𝐶
(120 − t)D (120 − t)D

Then we integrate and simplify the equation

𝑥 𝑑𝑡
= 3S + 𝐶
(120 − t)D (120 − t)D
𝑥
= 3 S(120 − t)GD 𝑑𝑡 + 𝐶
(120 − t)D
𝑥 (120 − t)GDUE
= −3 T V + 𝐶
(120 − t)D −3 + 1
𝑥 (120 − t)GF
= −3 T V+𝐶
(120 − t)D −2
Our working equation becomes

𝑥 3
= +𝐶
(120 − t)D 2(120 − t)F

To solve for C, we use values when t=0 and

x=0

0 3
= + 𝐶
(120 − 0)D 2(120 − 0)F
3
0= + 𝐶
2(120)F
𝐶 = −1.04167𝑥10GZ

Substituting C our working equation is

𝑥 3 GZ
= − 1.04167𝑥10
(120 − t)D 2(120 − t)F

Finally, to find the amount of salt in 10

minutes we substitute t=10 into the working
equation

𝑥 3 GZ
= − 1.04167𝑥10
(120 − 10)D 2(120 − 10)F
 𝑥 3 GZ
= − 1.04167𝑥10
(110)D 2(110)F
3
𝑥=[ − 1.04167𝑥10GZ \ (110D )
2(110) F

𝑥 = 26.3537 𝑙𝑏𝑠 𝑜𝑓 𝑠𝑎𝑙𝑡

Example #2

A 250 kL tank holds purified water. Brine

containing 4 kg of salt per kL leaks into the
tank at 3 kL per minute, and the resulting
mixture leaves at rate of 5 kL per minute.
Assuming the liquid leaving the system, is
perfectly mixed, how much salt would be in
the water after 15 minutes?

Step 1

GIVEN
G
By reading the given problem, we can get the
following:
 𝐶%&
V0=250 kL 𝑄%&
Cin=4 kg/kL
Qin=3kL/min
Qout=5 gal/min
𝐶()*
𝑋" 𝑄()*

𝑉"

and we are finding the amount of salt in the

water after 15 minutes. (t=15, x=?)

Step 2

FORMULATE
F
With no added conditions, we would use the
equation

𝑑𝑥
= 𝐶%& 𝑄%& − 𝐶()* 𝑄()*
𝑑𝑡
Since Cout was not given in the problem, we
can substitute Cout with the equations

𝑥
𝐶 = , 𝑤ℎ𝑒𝑟𝑒 𝑉 = 𝑉6 + (𝑄%& − 𝑄()* )𝑡
𝑉

Substituting these in, our working equation

is

𝑑𝑥 𝑥
= 𝐶%& 𝑄%& − ( )(𝑄()* )
𝑑𝑡 𝑉6 + (𝑄%& − 𝑄()* )𝑡

Step 3

SOLVE
S
We can now substitute all the given in our
working equation, yielding

𝑑𝑥 𝑥
= (4)(3) − > A ( 5)
𝑑𝑡 250 + (3 − 5)𝑡

Simplifying, we get the equation

𝑑𝑥 5
= 12 − > A (𝑥 )
𝑑𝑡 250 − 2𝑡

Through transposing, we can rewrite our

working equation to follow the general form
for solving first order linear differential
equations

𝑑𝑥
+ 𝑃(𝑡)𝑥 = 𝑄(𝑡)
𝑑𝑡

Yielding

𝑑𝑥 5
+> A (𝑥 ) = 12
𝑑𝑡 250 − 2𝑡
c
Where P(t)= C I and Q(t)=12
Fc6GF*

To find the integrating factor we use the

equation

𝜇 (𝑡) = 𝑒 ∫ L(*)M*

Substituting P(t) we have

 c
∫CFc6GF*IM*
𝜇 (𝑡 ) = 𝑒
M*
c ∫CFc6GF*I
𝜇 (𝑡 ) = 𝑒

Solving to find the integrating factor, we get

M*
c ∫CFc6GF*I
𝜇 (𝑡 ) = 𝑒
c
GF NO(Fc6GF* )
𝜇 (𝑡 ) = 𝑒
d
Pe
NO(Fc6GF* )
𝜇 (𝑡 ) = 𝑒
c
GF
𝜇 (𝑡) = (250 − 2𝑡)
1
( )
𝜇 𝑡 = c
(250 − 2𝑡)F

Then we will substitute 𝜇 (𝑡) and 𝑄 (𝑡 ) into the

following equation

𝜇 (𝑡)𝑥 = S 𝑄(𝑡)𝜇(𝑡)𝑑𝑡 + 𝐶

Substitute the known values we get

 1 1
c
(𝑥) = S 12 f c g 𝑑𝑡 + 𝐶
(250 − 2𝑡)F (250 − 2𝑡)F

Then we integrate and simplify the equation

𝑥 𝑑𝑡
c = 12 S c + 𝐶
(250 − 2𝑡)F (250 − 2𝑡)F
𝑥 c
GF
c = 12 S(250 − 2𝑡) 𝑑𝑡 + 𝐶
(250 − 2𝑡)F
c
GFUE
𝑥 12 (250 − 2𝑡)
c =− 2 f 5
g + 𝐶
(250 − 2𝑡)F −2 + 1
D
GF
𝑥 (250 − 2𝑡)
c = −6 f 3
g+𝐶
(250 − 2𝑡)F −2
𝑥 2 D
GF
( ) (
c = −6 >− 3A 250 − 2𝑡
) + 𝐶
(250 − 2𝑡)F

Our working equation becomes

𝑥 4
c = D +𝐶
(250 − 2𝑡)F (250 − 2𝑡)F
To solve for C, we use values when t=0 and
x=0

𝑥 4
c = D + 𝐶
(250 − 2(0))F (250 − 2(0))F
4
0= D + 𝐶
(250)F
𝐶 = −1.0119𝑥10GD

Substituting C our working equation is

𝑥 4 GD
c = D − 1.0119𝑥10
(250 − 2𝑡)F (250 − 2𝑡)F

Finally, to find the amount of salt in 15

minutes we substitute t=15 into the working
equation

𝑥 4
c = D − 1.0119𝑥10GD
(250 − 2(15)F (250 − 2(15))F
𝑥 4 GD
c = D − 1.0119𝑥10
(220)F (220)F
 4 GD j (
c
𝑥=i D − 1.0119𝑥10 220)F
(220)F

𝑥 = 153.55 𝑘𝑔 𝑜𝑓 𝑠𝑎𝑙𝑡

Example #3

A 120-gallon tank can hold purified water at

max capacity. Saltwater with 3 lbs of salt per
gallon leaks into the tank at 5 gallons per
minute. The mixture in the tank is
constantly mixed, and it flows out of the
tank at 3 gallons per minute. If the tank was
holding 100 gallons of purified water, how
much salt would be in the water at overflow?
Step 1

GIVEN
G
By reading the given problem, we can get the
following:
𝐶%&
Vmax=120 gal 𝑄%&
V0=100 gal
Cin=3 lb/gal
Qin=5 gal/min 𝐶()*
Qout=3 gal/min 𝑋" 𝑄()*

𝑉"

and we are finding the amount of salt in the

water when the tank overflows. (t=tover, x=?)
Step 2

FORMULATE
F
With no added conditions, we would use the
equation

𝑑𝑥
= 𝐶%& 𝑄%& − 𝐶()* 𝑄()*
𝑑𝑡

Since Cout was not given in the problem, we

can substitute Cout with the equations

𝑥
𝐶= , 𝑤ℎ𝑒𝑟𝑒 𝑉 = 𝑉6 + (𝑄%& − 𝑄()* )𝑡
𝑉

Substituting these in, our working equation

is

𝑑𝑥 𝑥
= 𝐶%& 𝑄%& − ( )(𝑄()* )
𝑑𝑡 𝑉6 + (𝑄%& − 𝑄()* )𝑡

Step 3

SOLVE
S
We can now substitute all of the given in our
working equation, yielding

𝑑𝑥 𝑥
= (3)(5) > A (3)
𝑑𝑡 ( )
100 + 5 − 3 𝑡

Simplifying, we get the equation

𝑑𝑥 3
= 15 − > A (𝑥 )
𝑑𝑡 100 + 2𝑡

Through transposing, we can rewrite our

working equation to follow the general form
for solving first order linear differential
equations

𝑑𝑥
+ 𝑃(𝑡)𝑥 = 𝑄(𝑡)
𝑑𝑡
Yielding
𝑑𝑥 3
+> A (𝑥 ) = 15
𝑑𝑡 100 + 2𝑡
D
Where P(t)= C I and Q(t)=15
E66UF*

To find the integrating factor we use the

equation

𝜇 (𝑡) = 𝑒 ∫ L(*)M*

Substituting P(t) we have

D
∫CE66UF*IM*
𝜇 (𝑡 ) = 𝑒
M*
D ∫CE66UF*I
𝜇 (𝑡 ) = 𝑒

Solving to find the integrating factor, we get

M*
D ∫CE66UF*I
𝜇 (𝑡 ) = 𝑒
D
( )
𝜇 (𝑡 ) = 𝑒 F NO E66UF*
Q
NO(E66UF* )e
𝜇 (𝑡 ) = 𝑒
D
𝜇 (𝑡) = (100 + 2t)F
Then we will substitute 𝜇 (𝑡) and 𝑄 (𝑡 ) into the
following equation

𝜇 (𝑡)𝑥 = S 𝑄(𝑡)𝜇(𝑡)𝑑𝑡 + 𝐶

Substitute the known values we get

D D
(100 + 2t)F (𝑥 ) = S 15(100 + 2t)F 𝑑𝑡 + 𝐶

Then we integrate and simplify the equation

D D
(100 + 2t)F (𝑥 ) = 15 S(100 + 2t)F 𝑑𝑡 + 𝐶
D
D 15 (100 + 2t)FUE
(100 + 2t)F (𝑥 ) = f g + 𝐶
2 3
2+1
c
D 15 (100 + 2t)F
(100 + 2t)F (𝑥 )
= f g + 𝐶
2 5
2
D 15 2 c
(100 + 2t) (𝑥 ) = > A > A (100 + 2t)F + 𝐶
F
2 5

Our working equation becomes

D c
(100 + 2t)F (𝑥 ) = (3)(100 + 2t)F +𝐶

To solve for C, we use values when t=0 and

x=0

D c
(100 + 2(0))F (𝑥 ) = (3)(100 + 2(0))F + 𝐶
c
0 = (3)(100)F + 𝐶
𝐶 = −300000

Substituting C our working equation is

D c
(100 + 2t)F (𝑥 ) = (3)(100 + 2t)F − 300000

To find the time it would take for the tank to

overflow, we would use the following equation

𝑉 = 𝑉6 + (𝑄%& − 𝑄()* )𝑡

Substituting the values with the given, where

V is equal to the max capacity of the tank, we
would solve for t
𝑉 = 𝑉6 + (𝑄%& − 𝑄()* )𝑡
𝑉mno = 𝑉6 + (𝑄%& − 𝑄()* )𝑡
120 = 100 + (5 − 3)𝑡
120 = 100 + 2𝑡
120 − 100 = 2𝑡
20 = 2𝑡
20
𝑡=
2
𝑡 = 10 𝑚𝑖𝑛𝑢𝑡𝑒𝑠

Finally, to find the amount of salt in 10

minutes we substitute t=10 into the working
equation and solve for x

D c
(100 + 2(10))F (𝑥 ) = (3)(100 + 2(10))F − 300000
D c
(100 + 20)F (𝑥 ) = (3)(100 + 20)F − 300000
c 1
𝑥 = [(3)(100 + 20)F − 300000\ f D g
(100 + 20)F

𝑥 = 131.7823 𝑙𝑏𝑠 𝑜𝑓 𝑠𝑎𝑙𝑡

Example #4

A 300 kL tank can hold purified water at

max capacity. Saltwater with 2.5 kg of salt
per gallon leaks into the tank at 10 kL per
minute. The mixture in the tank is
constantly mixed, and it flows out of the
tank at 2 kL per minute. If the tank was
holding one fourth its maximum capacity of
purified water, how much salt would be in the
water at overflow?

Step 1

GIVEN
G
By reading the given problem, we can get the
following:
 𝐶%&
𝑄%&
Vmax= 300kL
u D66
V0= vwx = = 75𝑘𝐿
Z Z
Cin=2.5 kg/kL 𝐶()*
Qin=10 kL/min 𝑋" 𝑄()*

Qout=2 kL/min 𝑉"

and we are finding the amount of salt in the

water when the tank overflows. (t=tover, x=?)

Step 2

FORMULATE
F
With no added conditions, we would use the
equation

𝑑𝑥
= 𝐶%& 𝑄%& − 𝐶()* 𝑄()*
𝑑𝑡

Since Cout was not given in the problem, we

can substitute Cout with the equations
 𝑥
𝐶= , 𝑤ℎ𝑒𝑟𝑒 𝑉 = 𝑉6 + (𝑄%& − 𝑄()* )𝑡
𝑉

Substituting these in, our working equation

is

𝑑𝑥 𝑥
= 𝐶%& 𝑄%& − ( )(𝑄()* )
𝑑𝑡 𝑉6 + (𝑄%& − 𝑄()* )𝑡

Step 3

SOLVE
S
We can now substitute all of the given in our
working equation, yielding

𝑑𝑥 𝑥
= (2.5)(10) − > A (2)
𝑑𝑡 75 + (10 − 2)𝑡

Simplifying, we get the equation

𝑑𝑥 2
= 25 − > A (𝑥 )
𝑑𝑡 75 + 8𝑡
Through transposing, we can rewrite our
working equation to follow the general form
for solving first order linear differential
equations

𝑑𝑥
+ 𝑃(𝑡)𝑥 = 𝑄(𝑡)
𝑑𝑡

Yielding

𝑑𝑥 2
+> A (𝑥 ) = 25
𝑑𝑡 75 + 8𝑡
F
Where P(t)= C I and Q(t)=25
zcU{*

To find the integrating factor we use the

equation

𝜇 (𝑡) = 𝑒 ∫ L(*)M*

Substituting P(t) we have

F
∫CzcU{*IM*
𝜇 (𝑡 ) = 𝑒
M*
F ∫CzcU{* I
𝜇 (𝑡 ) = 𝑒
Solving to find the integrating factor, we get

M*
F ∫CzcU{* I
𝜇 (𝑡 ) = 𝑒
F
( )
𝜇 (𝑡 ) = 𝑒 { NO zcU{*
|
NO(zcU{* )}
𝜇 (𝑡 ) = 𝑒
E
𝜇 (𝑡) = (75 + 8𝑡)Z

Then we will substitute 𝜇 (𝑡) and 𝑄 (𝑡 ) into the

following equation

𝜇 (𝑡)𝑥 = S 𝑄(𝑡)𝜇(𝑡)𝑑𝑡 + 𝐶

Substitute the known values we get

E E
(75 + 8𝑡)Z (𝑥 ) = S 25(75 + 8𝑡)Z 𝑑𝑡 + 𝐶

Then we integrate and simplify the equation

E E
(75 + 8𝑡)Z (𝑥 ) = 25 S(75 + 8𝑡)Z 𝑑𝑡 + 𝐶
 E
E 25 (75 + 8𝑡)ZUE
(75 + 8𝑡)Z (𝑥 ) = f g + 𝐶
8 1
4+1
c
E 15 (75 + 8𝑡)Z
(75 + 8𝑡)Z (𝑥 )
= f g + 𝐶
2 5
4
E 15 4 c
(75 + 8𝑡)Z (𝑥 ) = > A > A (75 + 8𝑡)Z + 𝐶
2 5

Our working equation becomes

E c
(75 + 8𝑡)Z (𝑥 ) = (6)(75 + 8𝑡)Z +𝐶

To solve for C, we use values when t=0 and

x=0

E c
(75 + 8(0))Z (𝑥 ) = (6)(75 + 8(0))Z + 𝐶
c
0 = (6)(75)Z + 𝐶
𝐶 = −1324.2739

Substituting C our working equation is

E c
(75 + 8𝑡)Z (𝑥 ) = (6)(75 + 8𝑡)Z − 1324.2739
To find the time it would take for the tank to
overflow, we would use the following equation

𝑉 = 𝑉6 + (𝑄%& − 𝑄()* )𝑡

Substituting the values with the given, where

V is equal to the max capacity of the tank, we
would solve for t

𝑉 = 𝑉6 + (𝑄%& − 𝑄()* )𝑡
𝑉mno = 𝑉6 + (𝑄%& − 𝑄()* )𝑡
300 = 75 + (10 − 2)𝑡
300 = 75 + 8𝑡
300 − 75 = 8𝑡
225 = 8𝑡
225
𝑡=
8
𝑡 = 28.125 𝑚𝑖𝑛𝑢𝑡𝑒𝑠

Finally, to find the amount of salt in 28.125

minutes we substitute t=28.125 into the
working equation and solve for x

E c
(75 + 8(28.125))Z (𝑥) = (6)(75 + 8(28.125 ))Z − 1324.2739
E c
(75 + 225)Z (𝑥 ) = (6)(75 + 225)Z − 1324.2739
 c 1
𝑥 = [(6)(75 + 225)Z − 1324.2739\ f E g
(75 + 225)Z

𝑥 = 1950.16 𝑘𝑔 𝑜𝑓 𝑠𝑎𝑙𝑡

Example #5

A tank with a capacity of 1500 gals

originally contains 1000 gals of fresh water.
The first pipe containing 0.5lb of salt per
gallon is entering at a rate of 4 gal/min. The
second pipe containing 0.33lb of salt per
gallon is entering at a rate of 6 gal/min. The
mixture is allowed to flow out of the tank at a
rate of 5 gal/min. Find the amount of salt in
the tank at overflow.

Step 1

GIVEN
G
By reading the given problem, we can get the
following:
 𝐶%&
Vmax= 1500 gal 𝑄%&
V0= 1000 gal
Cin1=0.5 lb/gal
Qin1=4 gal/min
𝐶()*
Cin2=0.33 lb/gal 𝑋" 𝑄()*
Qin2=6 gal/min 𝑉"
Qout=5 gal/min

and we are finding the amount of salt in the

water when the tank overflows. (t=tover, x=?)

Step 2

FORMULATE
F
With no added conditions, we would use the
equation

𝑑𝑥
= 𝐶%& 𝑄%& − 𝐶()* 𝑄()*
𝑑𝑡

One issue is that there are two pipes feeding

water into the tank. So we need to find the
total amount of salt entering the using the
equation

𝐶%& 𝑄%& = 𝐶%&E 𝑄%&E + 𝐶%&F 𝑄%&F

𝐶%& 𝑄%& = (0.5)(4) + (0.33)(6)
𝐶%& 𝑄%& = 3.98

Another issue is that Cout was not given in the

problem, so we substitute Cout with the
following equations

𝑥
𝐶 = , 𝑤ℎ𝑒𝑟𝑒 𝑉 = 𝑉6 + (𝑄%& − 𝑄()* )𝑡
𝑉

Substituting these in, our working equation

is

𝑑𝑥 𝑥
= 𝐶%& 𝑄%& − ( )(𝑄()* )
𝑑𝑡 ( )
𝑉6 + 𝑄%& − 𝑄()* 𝑡

Step 3

SOLVE
S
We can now substitute all the given in our
working equation, where Qin is Qin1+Qin2,
yielding

𝑑𝑥 𝑥
= 3.98 − > A (2)
𝑑𝑡 1000 + (6 + 4 − 5)𝑡

Simplifying, we get the equation

𝑑𝑥 2
= 3.98 − > A (𝑥 )
𝑑𝑡 1000 + 5𝑡

Through transposing, we can rewrite our

working equation to follow the general form
for solving first order linear differential
equations

𝑑𝑥
+ 𝑃(𝑡)𝑥 = 𝑄(𝑡)
𝑑𝑡
Yielding

𝑑𝑥 2
+> A (𝑥 ) = 3.98
𝑑𝑡 1000 + 5𝑡
𝟐
Where P(t)= C I and Q(t)=3.98
E666Uc𝒕

To find the integrating factor we use the

equation

𝜇 (𝑡) = 𝑒 ∫ L(*)M*

Substituting P(t) we have

𝟐
∫CE666Uc𝒕IM*
𝜇 (𝑡 ) = 𝑒
M*
F ∫CE666Uc*I
𝜇 (𝑡 ) = 𝑒

Solving to find the integrating factor, we get

M*
F ∫CE666Uc*I
𝜇 (𝑡 ) = 𝑒
F
( )
𝜇 (𝑡 ) = 𝑒 c NO E666Uc*
e
NO(E666Uc* )d
𝜇 (𝑡 ) = 𝑒
F
𝜇 (𝑡) = (1000 + 5t)c
Then we will substitute 𝜇 (𝑡) and 𝑄 (𝑡 ) into the
following equation

𝜇 (𝑡)𝑥 = S 𝑄(𝑡)𝜇(𝑡)𝑑𝑡 + 𝐶

Substitute the known values we get

F F
(1000 + 5t)c (𝑥) = S 3.98(1000 + 5t)c 𝑑𝑡 + 𝐶

Then we integrate and simplify the equation

F F
(1000 + 5t)c (𝑥) = 3.98 S(1000 + 5t)c 𝑑𝑡 + 𝐶
F
F 3.98 (1000 + 5t)cUE
(1000 + 5t)c (𝑥) = f g + 𝐶
5 2
+1
5
z
F 3.98 (1000 + 5t)c
(1000 + 5t)c (𝑥)
= f g + 𝐶
5 7
5
F 3.98 5 z
(1000 + 5t)c (𝑥) > A > A (1000 + 5t)c + 𝐶
5 7

Our working equation becomes

 F 3.98 z
(1000 + 5t)c (𝑥) => A (1000 + 5t)c + 𝐶
7

To solve for C, we use values when t=0 and

x=0

F 3.98 z
(1000 + 5(0))c (0) => A (1000 + 5(0))c + 𝐶
7
3.98 z
0=> A (1000)c + 𝐶
7
𝐶 = −9011.25

Substituting C our working equation is

F 3.98 z
(1000 + 5t)c (𝑥) => A (1000 + 5t)c − 9011.25
7

To find the time it would take for the tank to

overflow, we would use the following equation

𝑉 = 𝑉6 + (𝑄%& − 𝑄()* )𝑡

Substituting the values with the given, where

V is equal to the max capacity of the tank, we
would solve for t
𝑉 = 𝑉6 + (𝑄%& − 𝑄()* )𝑡
𝑉mno = 𝑉6 + (𝑄%& − 𝑄()* )𝑡
1500 = 1000 + (10 − 5)𝑡
1500 = 1000 + 5𝑡
1500 − 1000 = 5𝑡
500 = 5𝑡
500
𝑡=
5
𝑡 = 100 𝑚𝑖𝑛𝑢𝑡𝑒𝑠

Finally, to find the amount of salt in 100

minutes we substitute t=100 into the
working equation and solve for x

F 3.98 z
(1000 + 5(100))c (𝑥) = > A (1000 + 5(100))c − 9011.25
7
F 3.98 z
(1000 + 500)c (𝑥 ) = > A (1000 + 500)c − 9011.25
7
3.98 z 1
𝑥 = [> A (1000 + 500)c − 9011.25\ f F g
7
(1000 + 500)c

𝑥 = 369.41 𝑙𝑏𝑠 𝑜𝑓 𝑠𝑎𝑙𝑡

= 20 𝑦𝑒𝑎𝑟𝑠
Example #6

A tank with a capacity of 2000 kL

originally contains 300 kL of fresh water.
The first pipe containing 5kg of salt per kL
is entering at a rate of 5 kL/min. The second
pipe containing 6kg of salt per gallon is
entering at a rate of 6 kL/min. The mixture
is allowed to flow out of the tank at a rate of 5
kL/min. Find the amount of salt in the tank
at overflow.

Step 1

GIVEN
G
By reading the given problem, we can get the
following:

Vmax= 2000 kL
V0= 300 kL
Cin1=5 kg/kL
Qin1=5 kL/min
Cin2=6kg/kL
Qin2=6 kL/min
Qout=5 kL/min

and we are finding the amount of salt in the

water when the tank overflows. (t=tover, x=?)

Step 2

FORMULATE
F
With no added conditions, we would use the
equation
𝑑𝑥
= 𝐶%& 𝑄%& − 𝐶()* 𝑄()*
𝑑𝑡

One issue is that there are two pipes feeding

water into the tank. So, we need to find the
total amount of salt entering the using the
equation

𝐶%& 𝑄%& = 𝐶%&E 𝑄%&E + 𝐶%&F 𝑄%&F

𝐶%& 𝑄%& = (5)(5) + (6)(6)
𝐶%& 𝑄%& = 61
Another issue is that Cout was not given in the
problem, so we substitute Cout with the
following equations

𝑥
𝐶 = , 𝑤ℎ𝑒𝑟𝑒 𝑉 = 𝑉6 + (𝑄%& − 𝑄()* )𝑡
𝑉

Substituting these in, our working equation

is

𝑑𝑥 𝑥
= 𝐶%& 𝑄%& − ( )(𝑄()* )
𝑑𝑡 𝑉6 + (𝑄%& − 𝑄()* )𝑡

Step 3

SOLVE
S
We can now substitute all the given in our
working equation, where Qin is Qin1+Qin2,
yielding
𝑑𝑥 𝑥
= 61 − > A ( 5)
𝑑𝑡 300 + (5 + 6 − 5)𝑡

Simplifying, we get the equation

𝑑𝑥 5
= 61 − > A (𝑥 )
𝑑𝑡 300 + 6𝑡

Through transposing, we can rewrite our

working equation to follow the general form
for solving first order linear differential
equations

𝑑𝑥
+ 𝑃(𝑡)𝑥 = 𝑄(𝑡)
𝑑𝑡

Yielding
𝑑𝑥 5
+> A (𝑥 ) = 61
𝑑𝑡 300 + 6𝑡
𝟓
Where P(t)= C I and Q(t)= 61
D66U•𝒕

To find the integrating factor we use the

equation

𝜇 (𝑡) = 𝑒 ∫ L(*)M*
Substituting P(t) we have

𝟓
∫CD66U•𝒕IM*
𝜇 (𝑡 ) = 𝑒
M*
c ∫CD66U•*I
𝜇 (𝑡 ) = 𝑒

Solving to find the integrating factor, we get

M*
c ∫CD66U•*I
𝜇 (𝑡 ) = 𝑒
c
( )
𝜇 (𝑡 ) = 𝑒 • NO D66U•*
d
NO(D66U•* )‚
𝜇 (𝑡 ) = 𝑒
c
𝜇 (𝑡) = (300 + 6t)•

Then we will substitute 𝜇 (𝑡) and 𝑄 (𝑡 ) into the

following equation

𝜇 (𝑡)𝑥 = S 𝑄(𝑡)𝜇(𝑡)𝑑𝑡 + 𝐶

Substitute the known values we get

 c c
(300 + 6t)• (𝑥 ) = S 61(300 + 6t)• 𝑑𝑡 + 𝐶

Then we integrate and simplify the equation

c c
(300 + 6t)• (𝑥 ) = 61 S(300 + 6t)• 𝑑𝑡 + 𝐶
c
c 61 (300 + 6t)•UE
(300 + 6t)• (𝑥 ) = f g + 𝐶
6 5
+1
6
EE
c 61 (300 + 6t) •
(300 + 6t)• (𝑥 ) =f g + 𝐶
6 11
6
c 61 6 EE
(300 + 6t)• (𝑥 ) = > A > A (300 + 6t) • + 𝐶
6 11

Our working equation becomes

c 61 EE
(300 + 6t)• (𝑥 ) = > A (300 + 6t) • + 𝐶
11
To solve for C, we use values when t=0 and
x=0

c 61 EE
(300 + 6(0))• (0) = > A (300 + 6(0)) • + 𝐶
11
61 EE
0 = > A (300) • + 𝐶
11
𝐶 = −192897.2858
Substituting C our working equation yields

c 61 EE
(300 + 6t)• (𝑥 ) = > A (300 + 6t) • − 192897.2858
11

To find the time it would take for the tank to

overflow, we would use the following equation

𝑉 = 𝑉6 + (𝑄%& − 𝑄()* )𝑡

Substituting the values with the given, where

V is equal to the max capacity of the tank, we
would solve for t

𝑉 = 𝑉6 + (𝑄%& − 𝑄()* )𝑡
𝑉mno = 𝑉6 + (𝑄%& − 𝑄()* )𝑡
2000 = 300 + (5 + 6 − 5)𝑡
2000 = 300 + 6𝑡
2000 − 300 = 6𝑡
1700 = 6𝑡
1700
𝑡=
6
𝑡 = 283.33 𝑚𝑖𝑛𝑢𝑡𝑒𝑠
Finally, to find the amount of salt in
283.33 minutes we substitute t=283.33
into the working equation and solve for x

c
(300 + 6(283.33))• (𝑥 )
61 EE
= > A (300 + 6(283.33)) • − 192897.2858
11
c
(300 + 1699.98)• (𝑥)
61 EE
= > A (300 + 1699.98) • − 192897.2858
11
61 EE
𝑥 = [> A (300 + 1699.98) •
11
1
− 192897.2858\ f c g
(300 + 1699.98)•

𝑥 = 10748.4473 𝑘𝑔 𝑜𝑓 𝑠𝑎𝑙𝑡