Question

Which bacteria sample (A or B) had a smaller initial population? What was that value?

Answer 1

B has a smaller initial population of 500

Explanation:

Given

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Required

The bacteria with the smaller initial population

The initial population is at x = 0

For bacteria A;

`A(x) = 600` when
`x = 0`

For bacteria B, we have:

`B(x) = 500(2)^x`

Substitute 0 for x

`B(x) = 500(2)^0`

`B(x) = 500*1`

`B(x) = 500`

So; when x = 0

`A(x) = 600` and
`B(x) = 500`

Because; 500 < 600

We can conclude that B has a smaller initial population of 500