AP Calculus BC

Advanced Placement Calculus BC including series, parametric equations, and polar functions.

Practical Applications

Analyzing Population Growth

Modeling Populations with Calculus

Calculus lets us model how populations grow or shrink over time. We use differential equations, limits, and series to understand real-world scenarios like bacteria growth, animal populations, or even viral spread.

  • Exponential models: \( P(t) = P_0 e^{kt} \)
  • Logistic growth: \( P(t) = \frac{L}{1 + e^{-k(t-t_0)}} \)

These models are used to predict trends, allocate resources, or plan conservation efforts.

Examples

  • Predicting how fast a virus spreads in a community using exponential growth equations.

  • Calculating the sustainable fish population in a lake with logistic models.

Analyzing Population Growth - AP Calculus BC Content | Practice Hub