In 1925 Lotka and Volterra introduced the predator-prey equations, a system of equations that models the populations

Question:

In 1925 Lotka and Volterra introduced the predator-prey equations, a system of equations that models the populations of two species, one of which preys on the other. Let x(t) represent the number of rabbits living in a region at time t, and y(t) the number of foxes in the same region. As time passes, the number of rabbits increases at a rate proportional to their population, and decreases at a rate proportional to the number of encounters between rabbits and foxes. The foxes, which compete for food, increase in number at a rate proportional to the number of encounters with rabbits but decrease at a rate proportional to the number of foxes. The number of encounters between rabbits and foxes is assumed to be proportional to the product of the two populations. These assumptions lead to the autonomous systemimage


where a, b, c, d are positive constants. The values of these constants vary according to the specific situation being modeled. We can study the nature of the population changes without setting these constants to specific values.


Show, by differentiating, that the functionimage


is constant when x(t) and y(t) are positive and satisfy the predatorprey equations.

Fantastic news! We've Found the answer you've been seeking!

Step by Step Answer:

Related Book For  book-img-for-question

Thomas Calculus Early Transcendentals

ISBN: 9780321884077

13th Edition

Authors: Joel R Hass, Christopher E Heil, Maurice D Weir

Question Posted: