In an experiment to study the growth of bacteria, a medical student measured 5000 bacteria at time 0 and 8000 at time 10 minutes.
Assuming that the number of bacteria grows exponentially, how many bacteria will be present after 30 minutes?

Question

In an experiment to study the growth of bacteria, a medical student measured 5000 bacteria at time 0 and 8000 at time 10 minutes.
Assuming that the number of bacteria grows exponentially, how many bacteria will be present after 30 minutes?

nathanjhw · Answer

14000 bacteria
       20480 bacteria
       17830 bacteria
       24332 bacteria
       29333 bacteria

nathanjhw · Answer

@welshfella

wolf1728 · Answer

Going by the fact that 5000 increases to 8000 after 10 minutes that means it increases by a factor of 1.6 every 10 minutes.
So, the population after 30 minutes =
5000 * 1.6 * 1.6 * 1.6
= 20,480

nathanjhw · Answer

Thanks so much, I just wasn't sure how to set up the equation.

wolf1728 · Answer

Okay - glad to help