The assets of a person reduced in his business such that the rate of reduction is proportional to the square…

The assets of a person reduced in his business such that the rate of reduction is proportional to the square root of the existing assets. If the assets were initially ₹ 10 lakhs and due to loss they reduce to $₹ 10000$ after 3 years, then the number of years required for the person to be bankrupt will be
  1. $\frac{20}{3}$ years
  2. $\frac{10}{3}$ years
  3. $\frac{10}{9}$ years
  4. $\frac{20}{9}$ years

Solution

If $A$ denotes the assets at time $t$, the rate of reduction is proportional to $\sqrt{A}$, so

$\frac{dA}{dt} = -k\sqrt{A}$

Separating and integrating gives

$\int A^{-1/2}\,dA = \int -k\,dt$

$2\sqrt{A} = -kt + C$

At $t = 0$, $A = 10^6$, hence $2\sqrt{10^6} = C$, so $C = 2000$.

At $t = 3$, $A = 10^4$, giving $2\sqrt{10^4} = -3k + 2000$
$200 = -3k + 2000$
$k = 600$

The solution becomes $2\sqrt{A} = -600t + 2000$.
Set $A = 0$ for bankruptcy: $0 = -600t + 2000$, so $t = \frac{2000}{600} = \frac{10}{3}$ years.

Correct choice is B.

Asked in: MHT CET 2025 (21 April Shift 1)

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