Suppose a computer virus begins by infecting 8 computers in the first hour after it is released. Each hour after that, each newly infected computer causes 8 more computers to become infected. The function y = 8x models this situation. Make a table with integer values of x from 1 to 4.

Question

Suppose a computer virus begins by infecting 8 computers in the first hour after it is released. Each hour after that, each newly infected computer causes 8 more computers to become infected. The function  y = 8x models this situation. Make a table with integer values of x from 1 to 4.

anonymous · Answer

That is incorrect. |dw:1378139483851:dw| Notice that each of the 8 initially infected computer adds 8 newly infected computers. Since each one does that and there are 8, we have $(8+8+8+8)+(8+8+8+8)=8*8$ newly infected computers

For the third hour you will have $8(8) $ or $64$ each one adding 8 newly infected computers so now we have $64$ different $8's$ one for each already infected computer.


So $f(x)=8^x$, you have an exponential function. Just plug in $x=\{1,2,3,4\}$ to get your table.