155k views
2 votes
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
by
9.2k points

1 Answer

2 votes

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
by
8.3k points
Welcome to QAmmunity.org, where you can ask questions and receive answers from other members of our community.

9.4m questions

12.2m answers

Categories