Question

The population of algae in an

experiment has been increasing by 40% each day. If there were 20 algae at the beginning of the experiment, predict the number of algae in 7 days.
First, complete the equation:
Future Amount = [?](1+[]0

Answer 1

The equation is y = 20(1.40)^x

where x is the number of days and y is the future amount after x days go by

The 1.40 is from the fact that 1+r = 1+0.40 = 1.40, where r is the decimal form of 40%, so r = 0.40

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Plug in x = 7 to get

y = 20(1.40)^x

y = 20(1.40)^7

y = 210.827008

y = 211

We round to the nearest whole number since it doesn't make much sense to have a fractional portion of an algae. After 7 days, there are about 211 algae.