Abstract

Citation

Researchers should cite this work as follows:

• Kenney, E. (2023). 1992-Emelie_Kenney-Differential equations and the AIDS epidemic. SIMIODE, QUBES Educational Resources. doi:10.25334/BFH3-GN85

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Article Context

Description

Kenney, Emelie A. 1992.  Differential equations and the AIDS epidemic: a lecture for Calculus II Students.  PRIMUS. 2(4): 386-392.

See https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/10511979208965679 . Accessed 23 March 2023.

Articles from this journal are FREEly available to members of the Mathematical Association of America through the member portal at www.maa.org.

Article Abstract:  This paper describes a lecture for Calculus II students in which the Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome was used to motivate study of first-order linear differential equations and the derivative as a rate of change. Some figures for study were obtained from the U. S. Center for Disease Control the day before the lecture was given in order to add to the sense of currency of the application.

When I started the journal PRIMUS - Problems, Resources, and Issues in Mathematics Undergraduate Studies in 1991 I was looking to publish nuts and bolts, here is what we did in class type pieces. This article is just that.

The author goes through exactly how she uses the material in class and included some items for students (and faculty) in a List of Things to Think About that provides truly thought-provoking opportunities for students.

There is data presented from the CDD on the early (and hence exponentially growing) stages of the epidemic. Step by step analysis is described along with ideas on presentation and use.