Example 12.6.1. Graphs of Rational Functions.
In an apocalypse, a zombie infestation begins with \(1\) zombie and spreads rapidly. The population of zombies can be modeled by \(Z(x)=\frac{200000x+100}{5x+100}\text{,}\) where \(x\) is the number of days after the apocalypse began. Use technology to graph the function and answer these questions:
- How many zombies are there \(2\) days after the apocalypse began?
- After how many days will the zombie population be \(20{,}000\text{?}\)
- As time goes on, the population will level off at about how many zombies?
Explanation.
We will graph the function with technology. After adjusting window settings, we have:
- To find the number of zombies after \(2\) days, we locate the point \((2,3637.27)\text{.}\) Since we can only have a whole number of zombies, we round to \(3{,}637\) zombies.
- To find the number of days it will take for the zombie population reach \(20{,}000\text{,}\) we locate the point \((19.999,20000)\) so it will take about 20 days.
- When we look far to the right on the graph using technology we can see that the population will level off at about \(40{,}000\) zombies.