3) A listing of the horizontal asymptotes and their significance in the

experiment.
4) An explanation of the use and significance of each dierivative in terms of
the conditions of the experiment.
5) Explanation of the graphs produced in the internet activity (i.e. 50%,
80% and 20% infection rates using your own parameters).
6) Answers to the activities on p. 8 of the lab that include the investigations
on p. 6 of the lab.
7) A conclusion that relates the results of your class experiment, the results
of the internet activity and the information on the general logistic function.
VIRUS LAB
Logistic Curves:

P=

L!P
L
A=
P
1 + Ae where

! kt

The graph of a function of the form

where L, A and k are positive constants, is an s-shaped or sigmoid curve. The term
logistic curve is also used to refer to such a graph. Logistic curves are rather accurate
models of population growth when environmental factors impose an upper bound on the
possible size of the population. They also describe the spread of epidemics and rumors in
a community.
0

NOTE: On TI-83

y=

C
1 + Ae

! Bx

Where C = L and B = k in the above formula.

Using the general logistic formula, find

a) the y-intercept
b) lim P(t)

t "!

c) lim P(t)

t # !"

d) a general graph of the function