Question

A bacteria population is growing exponentially with a growth factor of 1/6 each hour. By what growth factor does the population change each half hour? Select all that apply.

a:1/12

b:sqrt 1/6

c:1/3

d:sqrt 6

e:(1/6)^1/2

Answer 1

b and e are correct. took the test

Answer 2

Using exponential function

concepts, it is found that the change

of the growth factor of the

population each half hour is given

by:

b.√1/6

e. (1/6)0.5

What is an exponential

function?

An increasing exponential function

is modeled by:

A(t) = A(0)(1 + r)^t

In which:

A(0) is the initial value.

• r is the decay rate, as a decimal.

In this problem, the growth factor of

1/6 each hour, hence, r= 1/6 and:

A(t) = A(0)(1 + 1/6)^t

For each half-hour, t = 0.5, hence

the growth factor is of:

(1/6) 0.5 = √1/6

Hence, options b and e are correct.