Question

A fruit fly experiment starts with 600 flies. If the number of flies after x days is given by the function P(x)=600e^0.3x, how many days will it be until there are 1000 flies?

(20 points)

Explain Your Answer!

Answer 1

Since ln(x) is the inverse of e^x and we want to find out when P(x)=1000, we will substitute P(x) by 1000 and then solve for x days.

1600e^0.3x = 1000

Divide 600 for both sides you will get:

5/3 = e^0.3x

Multiply ( ln ) for both sides and then divide by 0.3.

(ln 5/3)/(0.3) = x

x = 1.7

So there will be 1000 flies in approximately 1.7 days