Find C for P(t) = Ce-Ct Given 70% Probability of Surviving 2+ Years

In summary, the conversation discusses the use of the equation p(t) = Ce-Ct to find the fraction of a group surviving a certain amount of time, and the question of how to find the constant C when given a specific probability of survival. The suggestion is to take the integral of p(t) with limits of 0 and x, and then set the limit as x goes to infinity equal to the desired probability.
  • #1
apiwowar
96
0
p(t) = Ce-Ct

i know P(t) is the fraction of the group surviving t years or less

now the question is: suppose a patient has a 70% probability of surviving at least 2 years, find C.

to find c i would take the integral of p(t) but what would my limits be? surviving 2 at least 2 years, so that's more than 2 years. would i have my lower limit be 2 and then have my upper limit be infiniti or just a big number?

any help would be appreciated
 
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  • #2
Not my field, but compute [tex]\int_0^xCe^{-Ct}dt[/tex]. What's the limit as x goes to infinity? Does it depend on C?

I think you want to find C so that the integral from 0 to 2 years equals 70% of the integral from 0 to infinity.
 

FAQ: Find C for P(t) = Ce-Ct Given 70% Probability of Surviving 2+ Years

What is the meaning of "C" in the equation P(t) = Ce-Ct?

In this equation, "C" represents the initial value or starting point of the probability function. It is the value of the function when t=0.

How do you calculate the probability of surviving 2+ years using this equation?

To calculate the probability of surviving 2+ years, you would plug in t=2 into the equation P(t) = Ce-Ct and then solve for C. Once you have the value of C, you can plug it back into the equation to find the probability at any other time point.

What does the "e" represent in the equation?

The "e" in this equation represents the mathematical constant known as Euler's number, which is approximately equal to 2.71828. It is often used in exponential functions and represents the rate of change of the function.

How do you interpret the 70% probability in this equation?

The 70% probability represents the likelihood of survival at a specific time point (in this case, 2+ years). It is the output of the function when t=2 and represents the proportion of individuals who are expected to survive after 2+ years.

Can this equation be applied to any situation where there is a probability of survival?

Yes, this equation can be applied to any situation where there is a probability of survival, as long as the function follows an exponential decay pattern. It is commonly used in fields such as medicine and finance to model survival rates over time.

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