Question

the number of bacteria growing in an incubator culture increases with time according to b(x)=8500(3)^x where x is the time in days. After how many days will the number of bacteria in culture be 2,065,500?

Answer 1

5 days

Explanation:

Put the given number in the formula and solve for x.

2065500 = 8500·3^x

243 = 3^x . . . . . . . . . . . divide by 8500

log(243) = x·log(3) . . . take logarithms

log(243)/log(3) = x = 5 . . . . divide by the coefficient of x

After 5 days, the number of bacteria in culture will be 2,065,500.