SOLUTION: A research student is working with a culture of bacteria that doubles in size every twenty minutes. The initial population count was 1350 bacteria. Rounding k to six decimal places

Algebra ->  Exponential-and-logarithmic-functions -> SOLUTION: A research student is working with a culture of bacteria that doubles in size every twenty minutes. The initial population count was 1350 bacteria. Rounding k to six decimal places      Log On


   

Question 1060544: A research student is working with a culture of bacteria that doubles in size every twenty minutes. The initial population count was 1350 bacteria. Rounding k to six decimal places, write an exponential equation representing this situation. To the nearest whole number, what is the population size after 3 hours?
Answer by josgarithmetic(39620) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
Twenty minutes is 1%2F3 hour. That is the doubling time.

y=1350%2Ae%5E%28kt%29


2700=1350%2Ae%5E%28k%2A%281%2F3%29%29
2=e%5E%28k%2F3%29
ln%282%29=k%2F3

highlight%28k=3%2Aln%282%29%29-------you can compute this with help of calculator or log table.

highlight%28y=1350%2Ae%5E%282.07944t%29%29

691200 after 3 hours.