Question

Antibiotic B, is taken every 6 hrs and has an effectiveness factor of 90%. Determine the bacterial population after three days (72h) in a patient who has an intial bacterial population of 2000 and who is being treated with antibiotic B

Answer 1

This is basically a decay problem. Every 6 h, the bacterial population decreases to 10% its starting value. The general equation would be:

p(t) = p(0.1)^(t/k)

Where p(t) is the population at time t, p is the starting population, t is the total time elapsed, and k is the length of each halving cycle (if this were an atomic decay question, that would mean the half-life).

Plug in your numbers and see what you get.

Answer 2

y=2000(.1)^t
t=72/6
t=12

y=2000(.1)t^12
y= 2x10^-9
Hmm doesnt seem right, but Matt will probably have it right :)

Answer 3

Yeah you're right...that seems sorta off. Is there a specific definition for "effectiveness factor" that's different from what we used?

Answer 4

Also @Brownguy - thanks for the vote of confidence lol

Answer 5

Matt would it be an inconvience if you solve it Completely cause i am still stuck?

Answer 6

@matt101