SOLUTION: express the problem as an exponential function whose value is the number of cells after x divisions, and then use the function to determine the answer. A cell divides into two i

Question 194842This question is from textbook
: express the problem as an exponential function whose value is the number of cells after x divisions, and then use the function to determine the answer.
A cell divides into two identical copies every 4 minutes. How many cells will exist after 5 hours? Thank You This question is from textbook

Found 2 solutions by checkley77, josmiceli:
Answer by checkley77(12844) (Show Source): You can put this solution on YOUR website!
2^(5*60)/4=2^(300/4)=2^75=3.7779*10^22
Answer by josmiceli(19441) (Show Source): You can put this solution on YOUR website!
Make a chart:
# of divisions --- # of copies ------- # of minutes
--- 0 ---------------- 1 ------------------- 0
--- 1 ---------------- 2 ------------------- 4
--- 2 ---------------- 2+4= 6 -------------- 8
--- 3 ---------------- 2+4+12= 18 ---------- 12
--- 4 ---------------- 2+4+12+36= 54 ------- 16
--- 5 ---------------- 2+4+12+36+108= 162 -- 20
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I think I have a formula that works.
If = the number of divisions,
then the number of copies of cells
=, since

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How many cells will exist after 5 hours?
Let = the number of copies after
min in hrs

75 times in 3 hrs divisions will occur
This method deals with all but the very 1st cell.
I can correct for that by adding in
------------------------------------------------

The approximate answer is

and hopefully it's right
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