Past exam of the mathematics course of the University of Cambridge / 2005 / ib / Paper 1 / 5E / b

A particle pathline follows the time-dependent velocity field, so its coordinates satisfy $\dot{x}-x=\sin t$ and $\dot{y}=-y$. The second equation and the initial data give $y=e^{-t}$. Using the integrating factor $e^{-t}$ in the first,Therefore the complete pathline isIf $x_0+\frac{1}{2}\ne 0$, its first coordinate grows without bound in magnitude. If $x_0=-\frac{1}{2}$, the first coordinate remains bounded and periodic while $y\to 0$. The unique release coordinate giving a bounded particle path is $x_0=-1/2$.