Journal of Applied Mathematics and Physics

Volume 7, Issue 6 (June 2019)

ISSN Print: 2327-4352   ISSN Online: 2327-4379

Google-based Impact Factor: 0.70  Citations  

Mathematical Model of the Dynamics of Rumor Propagation

HTML  XML Download Download as PDF (Size: 444KB)  PP. 1289-1303  
DOI: 10.4236/jamp.2019.76088    1,444 Downloads   4,134 Views  Citations
Author(s)

ABSTRACT

In this study, we proposed a deterministic mathematical model that attempts to explain the propagation of a rumor using epidemiological models approach. The population is divided into four classes which consist of ignorant individuals, I(t), spreaders targeting community through media, M(t), spreaders targeting community through verbal communication, G(t) and stiflers, R(t). We explored existence of the equilibria and analyzed its stability. It was established that rumour-free equilibrium E0 is locally asymptotically stable if R0<1; meaning rumor can seize spreading in a population, and unstable if R0>1 leads to new rumor spreading in the population. Numerical simulations of the dynamic model are carried out on the system to confirm the analytical results. We see that the dynamics of rumor spreading show similar behavior to that found in the dynamics of infectious diseases except that the spread depends on the classes of spreader.

Share and Cite:

Musa, S. and Fori, M. (2019) Mathematical Model of the Dynamics of Rumor Propagation. Journal of Applied Mathematics and Physics, 7, 1289-1303. doi: 10.4236/jamp.2019.76088.

Copyright © 2024 by authors and Scientific Research Publishing Inc.

Creative Commons License

This work and the related PDF file are licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.