If a population of fruit flies doubles every 3 days. What is k, the proportionality constant?

Question

How would I solve this problem? What would initial value be?? Thanks!

Answer 1

Depends on the base of your growth factor. Clearly, the relative amount after t days is

2^(t/3)

But, if you want

e^(kt), then since

2 = e^ln2, you have

(e^ln2)^(t/3)
= e^(ln2/3 t)
= e^(0.231t)