Suppose we are modelling the spread of the zombie virus throughout our class, and notice that it grows exponentially if not contained. In your vast biological knowledge, you note that the doubling time (i.e., the number of days it takes the cumulative number of cases to double in size) of the zombie virus is approx- imately 3.5 days. Suppose we are interested in the spread of the virus in our class (if we were all contained in a very large lecture hall, of course), where the instructors are initially infected (there are 10 instructors, for reference). (a)  Use the exponential function C(t) = C0ert to determine r, the growth rate of the zombie virus. Your answer should be given in the most exact representation (i.e., not a decimal). (b)  Our coordinator, Dr. James, determines that the zombie virus will be classified as an outbreak in our classroom if 25% of the class becomes infected (for reference, there are 2500 students and instructors combined in CALC1000). If the virus is allowed to continually spread, how long will it take for a zombie virus outbreak to occur?

College Algebra (MindTap Course List)
12th Edition
ISBN:9781305652231
Author:R. David Gustafson, Jeff Hughes
Publisher:R. David Gustafson, Jeff Hughes
Chapter5: Exponential And Logarithmic Functions
Section5.2: Applications Of Exponential Functions
Problem 44E: Use a graphing calculator to solve each problem. In Example 4, suppose that a birth control program...
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Suppose we are modelling the spread of the zombie virus throughout our class, and notice that it grows exponentially if not contained. In your vast biological knowledge, you note that the doubling time (i.e., the number of days it takes the cumulative number of cases to double in size) of the zombie virus is approx- imately 3.5 days. Suppose we are interested in the spread of the virus in our class (if we were all contained in a very large lecture hall, of course), where the instructors are initially infected (there are 10 instructors, for reference).

  1. (a)  Use the exponential function C(t) = C0ert to determine r, the growth rate of the zombie virus. Your answer should be given in the most exact representation (i.e., not a decimal).

  2. (b)  Our coordinator, Dr. James, determines that the zombie virus will be classified as an outbreak in our classroom if 25% of the class becomes infected (for reference, there are 2500 students and instructors combined in CALC1000). If the virus is allowed to continually spread, how long will it take for a zombie virus outbreak to occur?

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