Volume 3: The Calculus of Life

Workbook 30.2: Growth & Decay Models

Directives for the Code-Breaker:

1. Law of Proportionality: $\frac{dy}{dt} = ky$.
2. The Solution: $y = Ae^{kt}$ (where $A$ is the initial amount).
3. Find k: Use the given rate or a data point to solve for the constant.
4. Half-Life Rule: $k = \ln(0.5) / T_{1/2} \approx -0.693 / T_{1/2}$.

Part I: Basic Unconstrained Growth

Using the equation $\frac{dy}{dt} = ky$ and $y(0) = A$.

The Seeds: A population of seeds grows at a rate proportional to its size. Initially, there are 100 seeds. After 2 hours, there are 400 seeds.
1. Solve for $k$.
2. Find the population after 5 hours.

$y = 100e^{kt}$
$400 = 100e^{2k} \implies 4 = e^{2k} \implies \ln(4) = 2k \implies k = \ln(4)/2 \approx 0.693$.
$y(5) = 100e^{0.693 \cdot 5} = ...$

The Doubling Life: A bacteria colony doubles every 3 hours ($T_{1/2} = 3$ for growth). Find the growth constant $k$.

$k = \ln(2) / 3 = ...$

Part II: Radioactive Decay

Carbon Dating: Carbon-14 has a half-life of 5,730 years. Find the decay constant $k$.

$k = \ln(0.5) / 5730 = ...$

The Sample: If an ancient scroll has 70% of its original Carbon-14 left... how old is it?

$0.70 = 1.00 \cdot e^{kt}$
$\ln(0.70) = kt \implies t = \ln(0.70) / k = ...$
The Logic Check:

In the growth formula $Ae^{kt}$, what happens to the population if $k=0$? Does the system grow, decay, or stay the same? Why is this called the "Stagnant" solution?

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Part III: Newton's Law of Cooling

A cup of soup at $180^\circ$ is left in a $70^\circ$ room. After 10 minutes, the soup is $120^\circ$.
Formula: $T(t) = T_{\text{room}} + (T_0 - T_{\text{room}})e^{-kt}$.
1. Solve for $k$.
2. When will the soup be $80^\circ$?

$120 = 70 + (180-70)e^{-10k}$
$50 = 110e^{-10k} \implies 5/11 = e^{-10k} \implies ...$

Part IV: The Challenge (The Triple Compound)

The Infinite Interest

A bank offers 10% interest.
Account A: Compounded Monthly ($n=12$).
Account B: Compounded Continuously ($\frac{dA}{dt} = 0.10A$).
Task: If you start with $\$1,000$, find the difference in the balances after 10 years.

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Part V: Transmission (The Echad Extension)

Teacher Log: The Proportional Push

Objective: Explain Proportional Growth to a younger sibling using a snowball.

The Activity:
1. Show them a tiny snowball. "If I roll this, it only picks up a few snowflakes."
2. Show them a big snowball. "If I roll this, it picks up a hundred snowflakes in one turn!"

The Lesson: "The more you have, the faster you grow. That's the Rule of the Snowball, and it's the Rule of God's Blessing!"


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