Question

Rate of change proportional to size:

P(t)= P(i)e^kt, where P is population, t is time, k is a constant and P(i) is the initial p or "p naught"; sorry, I don't know the typed notation for subscript. By the way, p(i) is given as 100.

The problems are

a.) "Find the expression after t hours"

b.) "Find the number of bacteria after t hours."

The answer to a is(via back of the book) is: 100(4.2)^t

I'm not sure exactly how to get there though I believe it has to do with taking natural logarithms and solving for e^k but since p is a function of t I'm not sure how to differentiate "k" (treat it as a constant or differentiate implicitly). If you could show the step by step process I'd appreciate it.

I got to: p(t)= 100(e^t+e^k) and stalled out.

Thanks in advance!

Answer 1

e^kt=(e^k)^t so apparently e^k=100