Chapter 5: Applications of Integration
Section 5.6: Differential Equations
Example 5.6.10
A medical examiner (M.E.) notes the temperature of the body of a deceased person is °F, and the environment in which the body has been located is 65°F. Being careful not to alter the surrounding temperature, the M.E. waits 15 minutes and again checks the body's temperature, finding it to be °F. Using Newton's law of cooling, what estimate can the M.E. make for the time of death of the deceased?
Solution
Mathematical Solution
Starting with the model developed in Example 5.6.9, write and form the two equations and from the data points and . The solution of the equations and is .
To estimate the time of death, solve , where the average body-temperature is taken as F.
So, the approximate time of death is 27 minutes prior to the arrival of the M.E.
Maple Solution
Define the function
Write
Context Panel: Assign Function
Form and solve two algebraic equations for and
Write the two equations arising from the given data points, and press the Enter key.
Context Panel: Solve≻Solve
Obtain and determine the time of death
Expression palette: Evaluation template Equate to 98.6. Press the Enter key.
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