Question

There is a population of 52,240 bacteria in a colony. If the number of bacteria doubles every 370 hours, what will the population be 740 hours from now?

Answer 1

To find the bacteria population after 740 hours, we start by noting that the population doubles every 370 hours.

Given:
- Initial population \( P_0 = 52,240 \)
- Doubling time = 370 hours
- Time passed = 740 hours

Since 740 hours is exactly double the doubling time (740 hours / 370 hours = 2), the population will double twice in this period.

1. **First doubling (after 370 hours):**
\[
P_1 = P_0 \times 2 = 52,240 \times 2 = 104,480
\]

2. **Second doubling (after another 370 hours, total of 740 hours):**
\[
P_2 = P_1 \times 2 = 104,480 \times 2 = 208,960
\]

Thus, the population of bacteria after 740 hours will be \( 208,960 \).

So, the final answer is:
\[
\boxed{208960}
\]