The variables x and t satisfy the differential equation
\(e^{3t} \frac{dx}{dt} = \cos^2 2x\),
for \(t \geq 0\). It is given that \(x = 0\) when \(t = 0\).
(a) Solve the differential equation and obtain an expression for \(x\) in terms of \(t\). [7]
(b) State what happens to the value of \(x\) when \(t\) tends to infinity. [1]
Solution
(a) To solve the differential equation \(e^{3t} \frac{dx}{dt} = \cos^2 2x\), we first separate variables:
\(\int \sec^2 2x \, dx = \int e^{-3t} \, dt\).
Integrating both sides, we get:
\(\frac{1}{2} \tan 2x = -\frac{1}{3} e^{-3t} + C\).
Using the initial condition \(x = 0\) when \(t = 0\), we find \(C = \frac{1}{3}\).
Thus, \(\frac{1}{2} \tan 2x = -\frac{1}{3} e^{-3t} + \frac{1}{3}\).
Solving for \(x\), we obtain:
\(x = \frac{1}{2} \arctan \left( \frac{2}{3} (1 - e^{-3t}) \right)\).
(b) As \(t \to \infty\), \(e^{-3t} \to 0\), so \(x \to \frac{1}{2} \arctan \left( \frac{2}{3} \right)\).
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