Question

In a medical experiment, the number of bacteria is halved every hour. What type of function represents this pattern?

A. Decreasing linear
B. Increasing linear
C. Exponential growth
D. Exponential decay

Answer 1

Exponential Decay, The answer is D.

Answer 2

D. Exponential decay

Explanation:

Let P be the initial number of bacteria,

Given,

The number of bacteria is halved every hour.

So, After x hours the number of bacteria,

`y=P((1)/(2))^x`

Since, it is the type of exponential function
`y=ab^x`,

Thus, the function represents the given situation is exponential.

Now, there are two types of exponential functions,

(i) Exponential growth : If b > 1

(ii) Exponential decay : if 0 < b < 1,

Now, By comparing,

b = 1/2

Also, 0 < 1/2 < 1

Hence, the function that shows the given situation or pattern is exponential decay.

Option D is correct.