Question 1174889: if a bacteria population doubles every eight minutes, what is the starting population if there are 450 in one hour. Found 2 solutions by josgarithmetic, ikleyn:Answer by josgarithmetic(39617) (Show Source):
60 minutes comprise = = 7.5 doubling periods.
THEREFORE,
450 = ,
where x is the starting number of bacteria.
From this equation,
x = = use your calculator = 2.49 bacteria.
You may round it as you want.
I prefer to round to the closest greater integer number, which is 3.
Do not accept any other answer/solution,
and ignore the post by @josgarithmetic, which is INCORRECT and may confuse you.
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