A group of scientists studied the effect of a chemical in various strains of bacteria. Strain A started with 6000 cells and decreased at a constant rate of 2000 cells per hour after the chemical was applied. Strain B started with 2000 cells and decreased at a constant rate of 1000 cells per hour after the chemical was applied. When will the strains have the same number of cells? Write a system of equations and solve.

Question

Taylor · Accepted Answer

That was the exact word problem, word for word from the textbook.

oobleck · Answer

no need for a system of equations. After x hours they will be the same if
6000-2000x = 2000-1000x
Unfortunately, strain B will be completely gone after 2 hours, right?
I suspect a typo or some missing information.