I understand that word problems can be challenging, but they're a great way to practice applying mathematical concepts to real-life situations! In this case, the relationship between the minutes (n) and the amount of q bacteria can be expressed using exponential growth:
Amount of bacteria = q * 2^n
Here, q is the initial amount of bacteria, n is the number of minutes passed, and 2^n represents the doubling of bacteria every minute. So, for any given time n minutes, you can calculate the amount of bacteria present by multiplying the initial amount by 2 raised to the power of n.
The amount of bacteria after n min if the initial amount of bacteria is q and the amount of bacteria doubles every minute.
I suggest you make a table.Start with 0 time and 1 bug.
time #bugs
0    &sbsp   1
1    &sbsp   2
2    &sbsp   4
3    &sbsp   8
4    &sbsp   16
5    &sbsp   32
Note that 2^2 = 4 and 2^3 = 8 and 2^4 = 16. Do you see a pattern?
So, you start with q bacteria. After one minute, you it will double, so you'll have 2q bacteria. After 2 minutes, it will again double, so you'll have 4 q bacteria. AFter 3 minutes, it will again double, so you'll have 8q bacteria. After 4 minutes, it will again double, so you'll have 16q bacteria. Can you see the relationship minutes and the amount of q bacteria?
Thank you Dr. Bob and Dan!
We did go over a problem similar like this in my class - but, I did not really understand it then very well. I really dislike word problems!
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