MA 3972-MA-Book April 11, 2018 16:5
332 STEP 4. Review the Knowledge You Need to Score High
Example 3
A slope field for a differential equation is shown in Figure 14.5-3. Draw a possible graph
for the particular solutiony= f(x) to the differential equation function, if (a) the initial
condition isf(0)=−2 and (b) the initial condition isf(0)=0.
Figure 14.5-3
Solution:
Begin by locating the point (0,−2) as given in the initial condition. Follow the flow of the
field and sketch the graph of the function. Repeat the same procedure with the point (0, 0).
See the curves as shown in Figure 14.5-4.
Figure 14.5-4
Example 4
Given the differential equation
dy
dx
=−xy.
(a) Draw a slope field for the differential equation at the 15 points indicated on the
provided set of axes in Figure 14.5-5.
3
2
1
- 21 –1 0 2
y
x
Figure 14.5-5