A dermal patch is designed to deliver doses of a certain
medicine incrementally over a period of ten days. On the first day, the
patch delivers one dose of medicine, second day two doses, third day
three doses, and so on. The objective of the medicine is to make ten
receptors inside the organism active. To start with, all receptors are
inactive. The single dose delivered on the first day latches onto one of
the receptors and makes it active. Two doses delivered on the second day
latch onto two receptors, one dose per receptor. If the receptor is
already active, the new dose makes it inactive. If the receptor is
inactive the new dose makes it active. Three doses delivered on the
third day latch onto three receptors, one dose per receptor. If the
receptor is already active, the new dose makes it inactive. If the
receptor is inactive the new dose makes it active. An so on. At the end
of the tenth day how many receptors are expected to be active? A
solution to this problem will be presented. Some generalizations will be
formulated and discussed.
Meet the speaker in Room 212 Cockins Hall at 4:30
p.m. Refreshments will be served.