Mathematical Model for Surviving a Zombie Attack

[aMaff]

So here's the background: some Mathematics students and a Math Professor from the Department of Mathematics and Faculty of Medicine at the University of Ottawa apparently had a bit of time on their hands and published an article outlying various models for how to survive a zombie attack (not at an individual level, but as a civilization / species).

The best part, if you ask me, is not that this study was done with what appears to be significant care to present at least feasible variables and takes into account 'typical' zombie behavior from popular fiction, but that it got published in a book called "Infectious Disease Modeling Research Progress".

full article: http://www.mathstat.uottawa.ca/~rsmith/Zombies.pdf

Abstract:

Zombies are a popular figure in pop culture/entertainment and they are usually portrayed as being brought about through an outbreak or epidemic. Consequently, we model a zombie attack, using biological assumptions based on popular zombie movies. We introduce a basic model for zombie infection, determine equilibria and their stability, and illustrate the outcome with numerical solutions. We then refine the model to introduce a latent period of zombification, whereby humans are infected, but not infectious, before becoming undead. We then modify the model to include the effects of possible quarantine or a cure. Finally, we examine the impact of regular, impulsive reductions in the number of zombies and derive conditions under which eradication can occur. We show that only quick, aggressive attacks can stave off the doomsday scenario: the collapse of society as zombies overtake us all.

These guys are a) the biggest nerds ever and b) FRIGGIN AWESOME!!!

 

[tweakingmsp]

I choose A.

 

[aMaff]

Man, one reply? We're talking about the end of the world people! These zombies ain't gonna shoot themselves!

 

[NCZ13]

As for someone that has to read articles like this (different content) its pretty ****** entertaining.

so much more interesting that reading the quantitative analysis of the racial disparity of traffic stops in new Hampshire lol.

 

[2003protege]

So in a city of roughly 500,000, we would only expect an equilibrium of 25,000 to remain uninfected??? That's bad news. I also like the term "Doomsday Equilibrium".

My eyes started to glaze over and I got full body shudders when I saw Matlab code. ...baaad memories.

 

[2003protege]

...has to read articles ... the quantitative analysis of the racial disparity of traffic stops in new Hampshire lol.

Now THAT'S how you get out of a ticket (first)

 

[Donas64]

Rule #1: Cardio!

 

[aMaff]

yea, it's a grim outlook, that's for sure. I totally glazed over @ the REALLY Mathsy stuff because to say I'm awful @ math would be an understatement, but they outlined the gist of what they were saying well enough for me to follow.

Just remember, strike hard and strike often!

 

[evilmonkeyMSP]

Only way to survive this would be to follow around Milla Jovovich...I can handle that (rockon)

 

[aMaff]

Only way to survive this would be to follow around Milla Jovovich...I can handle that (rockon)

hey, mythbusters proved you can't blow an escape hole through a floor with machine guns, so you'd just get eaten.

And not in the good way (yupnope)

 

[magnumP5]

As someone who understands the underlying mathematics and statistics I find this hilarious, but quite disconcerning considering the outcome will always be "doomsday". There are definitely a lot of assumptions made (most to benefit humanity's survival) but over all the analysis in convincing.

Scary (eekdance)

 

[Matrix]

Rule #1: Cardio!

(bolt)


That was awesome. (thumb)

 

[Donas64]

(bolt)


That was awesome. (thumb)

Thanks.

 

[aMaff]

Rule #1: Cardio!

Rule #2: Double Tap (headbang)

 

[Donas64]

Rule #31: Check the back seat!