Question 429841: I need help in solving this problem, I tried it out but it isnt giving me the right answer, please write down the step by step and what equation i should use. Thank you :)
Bacteria X has a relative growth rate of 180 % (under ideal conditions). Some bacteria X are accidentally introduced into some twirly macaroni salad. Three hours after contamination, there were 20,000 bacteria X in the twirly macaroni salad.
Find the initial number of bacteria X introduced into the twirly macaroni salad:
Answer by jorel1380(3719)   (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website! Lets assume your growth rate is per hour. In order to find the initial amount of bacteria, we have to work backward. Since 180% equals 1.8 times a number, we get:
((((X)1.8)1.8)1.8)=20,000
X times 1.8^3=20,000
X=20,000/5.832= approximately 3430 bacterium.
Stay away from the macaroni salad!
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