Question

The number of cells in a tumor doubles every 2.5 months. If the tumor begins with a single cell, how many cells will there be after 2 years? after 3 years?Question content area bottomPart 1How may cells will there be after 2 years? How many cells will there be after 3 years?  Then round to the nearest whole number as needed.)

Answer 1

As the number of cells doubles every 2.5 monts, the number of cells can be written as

N = A * 2^m

where

A is the starting amount

N is the number of cells at any given time

m is the given months divided by 2.5

Thus,

1) For 2 years,

m = 2 * 12/2.5 = 9.6

N = 2^9.6

N = 776

There would be 776 cells after 2 years

2) For 3 years,

m = 3 * 12/2.5 = 14.4

N = 2^14.4

N = 21619

There would be 21619 cells after 3 years