SOLUTION: Bacteria grow by cell division. If each cell divides into 2 in every 2 minutes how many cells will exist after 32 minutes? Assume there was only one cell at the beginning

Question 237999: Bacteria grow by cell division. If each cell divides into 2 in every 2 minutes how many cells will exist after 32 minutes? Assume there was only one cell at the beginning
Answer by nerdybill(7384) (Show Source): You can put this solution on YOUR website!
Bacteria grow by cell division. If each cell divides into 2 in every 2 minutes how many cells will exist after 32 minutes? Assume there was only one cell at the beginning
.
Apply exponential growth equation:
A(t) = Pe^(rt)
where
A(t) is amount at time t (2)
P is the initial amount (1)
r is rate of growth (unknown)
t is time (2)
.
Finding r:
A(t) = Pe^(rt)
2 = 1e^(2r)
ln(2) = 2r
ln(2)/2 = r
.
Cells at 32 minutes:
A(32) = 1e^(ln(2)/2 * 32)
A(32) = e^(ln(2) * 16)
A(32) = 65536 cells
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