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A microbiologist is growing bacteria cultures in the lab. After 5 minutes, a bacteria colony has 1.3 million organisms. After 12 minutes, the same colony has 41.5 million organisms. After 15 minutes, the colony has grown to 101.3 million organisms. Is this a proportional or non-proportional relationship?

User Dafie
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1 Answer

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Answer: Non proportional

Explanation:

To know if the values given are proportional or not, we will use the formula:

y = kx

where

y = number of organisms

x = number of minutes

k = constant of proportionality

After 5 minutes, a bacteria colony has 1.3 million organisms. Using the formula, y = kx

1,300,000 = 5k

k = 1,300,000 / 5

k = 260,000

After 12 minutes, the same colony has 41.5 million organisms. Using y= kx

41,500,000 = 12x

x = 41500000 / 12

x = 3458333.8

After 15 minutes, the colony has grown to 101.3 million organisms.

y = kx

101,300,000 = 15k

k = 101,300,000 / 15

k = 6753333.8

It is a non-proportional relationship as the constant of proportionality is different for each.

User HoberMellow
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