Question

The population of bacteria is represented by (P(t) = 360 cdot 2^t). How many bacteria are present after 0, 1, and 2 hours? Why is the growth not linear?

- a) (360, 720, 1440); Exponential growth is indicated.
- b) (0, 360, 720); Linear growth is indicated.
- c) (360, 720, 1080); Linear growth is indicated.
- d) (0, 360, 720); Exponential growth is indicated.

Answer 1

The population of bacteria is 360 after 0 hours, 720 after 1 hour, and 1440 after 2 hours due to exponential growth.

Step-by-step explanation:

The population of bacteria after 0 hours is 360, after 1 hour it is 720, and after 2 hours it is 1440. The growth of bacteria is not linear because it follows exponential growth. Exponential growth means that the population size is increasing at an increasing rate. In the case of bacteria, each organism divides and doubles in population size, leading to a rapid increase over time.