Question

Consider this function for cell duplication where the cells duplicate every minute.

f(x) = 75(2)x
Determine what each parameter in the function represents.
A) The 75 is the initial number of cells, and the 2 indicates that the number of cells doubles every minute.
B) The 75 is the initial number of cells, and the 2 indicates that the number of cells increases by 2 every minute.
C) The 75 is the number of cells at 1 minute, and the 2 indicates that the number of cells doubles every minute.
D) The 75 is the number of cells at 1 minute, and the 2 indicates that the number of cells increases by 2 every minute.

Answer 1

A) The 75 is the initial number of cells, and the 2 indicates that the number of cells doubles every minute

Explanation:

When x=0 (no minutes have elapsed), the value of the function is ...

f(0) = 75(2^0) = 75(1) = 75 . . . . the initial number of cells

As x increases by 1 (minute), the number of cells is multiplied by 2, so the 2 is the multiplier each minute. It indicates the number doubles. ("double" = "multiply by 2")

x is not defined, but for the function to make any sense, it must represent elapsed minutes.