Question

A population of bacteria doubles every 18 hours. Initially, the population of bacteria is 50. What is the population of the bacteria after 60 hours? Round your answer to the nearest whole number.

Answer 1

Hello!

The answer is: After 60 hours the population of bacteria will be 504

Why?

We can calculate the total population using the following equation:

`Total(t)=Start*2^{(t)/(18)}`

Where:

Total(t) is equal to the total population

Start is equal to the start population

T is equal to the time in hours

For example, from the statement we know that the population of bacterias doubles every hours, so, using the formula we have:

`Total(18)=50*2^{(18)/(18)}=100`

It proves that every 18 hours, the population of bacterias doubles it size.

We are asked to calculate the popualation after 60 hours, so:

`Total(60)=50*2^{(60)/(18)}=503.96=504`

So, after 60 hours the population of bacteria will be 504.

Have a nice day!