Viruses can spread like wildfire, and mathematics can model the speed of infection. Given a function, scholars analyze it to describe the spread of a disease within a stadium. Learners find the initial number infected and the maximum number that can be infected. They also use the function to make predictions. 

Concepts

exponential functions, diseases, solving equations

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Additional Tags

math

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Instructional Ideas

• Use the task as an introduction to the concept of a limit

Classroom Considerations

• Expects a proficiency with evaluating and analyzing exponential equations
• Prior to the task, discuss the concept of disease spread and why it can be modeled by an exponential fuction

Pros

• Provides extension ideas to encourage differentiation
• Includes a worked-out answer key

Cons

• Provides only one short question to analyze; pupils need practice with several to develop an understanding of the concept

Common Core

RL.8.2 RL.9-10.10a RL.11-12.1 RST.9-10.3 WHST.9-10.4 WHST.11-12.7 MP1 MP3 MP4 MP5