Question

The polynomial y=−0.73x4+3.1x3+26.5 describes the billions of flu virus particles in a person's body x days after being infected. Find the number of virus particles, in billions, after 3 days. There are billion virus particles in a person's body 3 days after being infected.

Answer 1

To find the number of virus particles after 3 days, substitute x=3 into the given polynomial. The number of virus particles, in billions, after 3 days is approximately 48.37 billion.

Step-by-step explanation:

To find the number of virus particles after 3 days, substitute x=3 into the polynomial:

y = -0.73(3)^4 + 3.1(3)^3 + 26.5

Calculating this expression:

y = -0.73(81) + 3.1(27) + 26.5 = -59.13 + 81 + 26.5 = 48.37

Therefore, the number of virus particles, in billions, after 3 days is approximately 48.37 billion.