Question

The population of a strain of bacteria doubles in a culture. At noon there were 80 bacteria present and by 4:00 PM there were 20 480 bacteria. Determine algebraically the doubling period. Hint: You DO NOT need to use systematic trials.

Answer 1

t = 1/2 hour

Explanation:

20480 = 80
`x^(t )`

20480 = 80
`x^(4 )`

20480/80 =
`x^(4 )`

256 =
`x^(4 )`

x = 4

doubling period

2 =
`4^(t)`

t = 1/2 hour