Final answer:
To solve the given first-order linear differential equation with the initial condition, we must separate the variables, integrate both sides, apply the initial condition, and then solve for the function y(t).
Step-by-step explanation:
The student has presented a first-order linear differential equation dy/dt = 0.5(y - 150), with an initial condition y(0) = 55. This is a separable differential equation, and we can solve it by integrating both sides.
- Separate the variables by dividing both sides by (y - 150) and multiplying by dt.
- Integrate both sides, introducing the constant of integration C on the side without the variable t.
- Solve for C using the initial condition y(0) = 55.
- Write the final solution function for y in terms of t.
Following these steps, we can find the function y(t) that satisfies the differential equation and the given initial condition.