Question

​It takes 21 minutes for a certain population of bacteria to double. ​If there are approximately 8,014,000 bacteria in this population at ​10 a.M., what is the best estimate, in millions, of the number of ​bacteria at 10:42 a.M. On the same day? ​​

Answer 1

32 million

Explanation:

Given that:

Time it takes population to double = 21 minutes

Number of bacteria at 10a.m = 8,014,000

Best estimate of bacteria at 10:42

Difference :

10:42 - 10:00 = 42 minutes

42/ 21 = 2 times

Hence it doubles 2 times within the time range :

At 10:21 minutes :

8,014,000 * 2 = 16,028,000

At 10:42 minutes :

16,028,000 * 2 = 32,056,000

Best estimate is 32 million