Question
A certain population of bacteria doubles every 3 weeks. How long will it take for a population of 3,500 to triple?
Answers
Reiny
I assume you are studying exponential equations and you also know how to work with logs.
your equation would be
N = a(2)^(t/3), were t is in weeks, a is the initial number of bacteria, and N is the number of bacteria you are after.
so 3a = a(2)^(t/3)
3 = (2)^(t/3)
t/3 = log3/log2
= 1.58496
t = 3(1.58496)
= 4.75
it would take 4.75 weeks to triple
your equation would be
N = a(2)^(t/3), were t is in weeks, a is the initial number of bacteria, and N is the number of bacteria you are after.
so 3a = a(2)^(t/3)
3 = (2)^(t/3)
t/3 = log3/log2
= 1.58496
t = 3(1.58496)
= 4.75
it would take 4.75 weeks to triple