Final answer:
To find the bacterial population on day 0 when given the count on day 6, divide the day 6 population by 2 repeatedly for each day going backwards until reaching day 0. In this case, starting with 448 bacteria on day 6, the result is 7 bacteria on day 0.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question being asked involves exponential growth of a bacterial population that doubles at regular intervals. Specifically, on day 6 there were 448 bacteria, and knowing that the population doubles every day, we can work backwards to find the population on day 0. Working backwards 6 days:
- Day 5: 448 / 2 = 224 bacteria
- Day 4: 224 / 2 = 112 bacteria
- Day 3: 112 / 2 = 56 bacteria
- Day 2: 56 / 2 = 28 bacteria
- Day 1: 28 / 2 = 14 bacteria
- Day 0: 14 / 2 = 7 bacteria
Therefore, there would be 7 bacteria on day 0.