Pandemic (Updated!)

How long does it take for a virus to spread through a population?

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Pandemic (Updated!)

How long does it take for a virus to spread through a population?

Login to add lessons to your favorites

Check it out! This lesson was just updated in September 2024, and we hope you love the new and improved version. If you've already prepped an earlier version, fear not, you can still find those here through Thursday December 5, 2024.

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2023-2024 Versions

In the fall of 2024, Citizen Math released updated versions of every lesson in our library, plus a few new ones! We know you may have already prepped an earlier version or planned a repeat of last year, so we're continuing to make these earlier versions available through Thursday December 5, 2024.

You can find the new lessons through the regular search, and we hope you love them as much as we do. You can read more about these updates in Our Community.

How do viruses spread through a population? From ebola to bird flu, humans are surrounded by deadly viruses.

In this lesson, students use exponential growth and logarithms to model how a virus spreads through a population and evaluate how various factors influence the speed and scope of an outbreak.

REAL WORLD TAKEAWAYS

  • Even though viruses spread slowly at first, eventually they can spread very quickly through a population.
  • There are a number of factors that influence how fast a virus spreads. Some of these are related to the virus. Others are related to how humans respond to it.
  • Humans have a range of interventions to slow the spread of viruses. Each has advantages and disadvantages.
  • Every virus is different. Different viruses require different types of responses.

MATH OBJECTIVES

  • Write an equation to represent exponential growth; describe the effect of each parameter on the overall model
  • Solve exponential equations using a variety of methods, including logs

Appropriate most times as students are developing conceptual understanding.
Algebra 2
Exponential Functions (Adv.)
Algebra 2
Exponential Functions (Adv.)
Content Standards
Mathematical Practices

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