Question

Question #2f05b

Answer 1

`720,000,000` bacteria

Explanation:

Since this is exponential growth (they are doubling each hour), use the equation `f(t)=a*(r+1)^t`, where `a` is the initial amount, `r` is the rate of growth written as a decimal, and `t` is the time interval.

• `a = 45,000,000`
• Doubling basically means increasing by `100%`, which can be represented as `1` when written as a decimal. Thus, `r=1`.
• Let's say `t` represents the number of hours. Thus, `t=4`.

Substitute the above values into the equation.

`f(4)=45,000,000*(1+1)^4`
`f(4)=45,000,000*2^4`
`f(4)=45,000,000*16`
`f(4)=720,000,000`

So, after four hours, there will be a population of `720,000,000` bacteria.