Question

A future of bacteria originally numbers 500. After 2 hours, there are 1500 bacteria in the culture. Assuming exponential growth, how many are there after 6 hours?

***Not sure how to solve this.... How would you start? :/ Please explain! Thanks a bunch! :)

Answer 1

What is the formula for exponential growth?

Answer 2

is it P=Poa^t ?

Answer 3

oh oops.. sorry P=Po(2)^t ?

Answer 4

but that's for doubling right? :/

Answer 5

Yes. Use the first equation and find a

Answer 6

1500=500a^2

Answer 7

okay 3=a^2

so a= √3 ?

Answer 8

yes. Now replace t with 6 and find P

Answer 9

P=500(sqrt3)^6

Answer 10

P=500(√3)^6=4.22 ?

Answer 11

or did i do it wrong?

do I do the √3^6 first?

if so, that gets 27 x 500= 13500??

not sure which way? because the 4.22 looked a bit off haha

Answer 12

powers first

Answer 13

okay so

P=500(√3)^6

=500(27)=13,500

so there will be 13,500 bacteria in the culture after 6 hours? is that right? :)