High School

A culture of bacteria has an initial population of 13,000 bacteria and doubles every 3 hours. Using the formula [tex]$P_t = P_0 \cdot 2^{\frac{t}{d}}$[/tex], where [tex]$P_t$[/tex] is the population after [tex]$t$[/tex] hours, [tex]$P_0$[/tex] is the initial population, [tex]$t$[/tex] is the time in hours, and [tex]$d$[/tex] is the doubling time, what is the population of bacteria in the culture after 13 hours, to the nearest whole number?

Answer :

To determine the population of the bacteria after 13 hours, we can use the population growth formula:

[tex]\[ P_t = P_0 \times 2^{\frac{t}{d}} \][/tex]

where:
- [tex]\( P_t \)[/tex] is the population after [tex]\( t \)[/tex] hours.
- [tex]\( P_0 \)[/tex] is the initial population.
- [tex]\( t \)[/tex] is the time in hours.
- [tex]\( d \)[/tex] is the doubling time.

For this problem:
- The initial population [tex]\( P_0 \)[/tex] is 13,000.
- The doubling time [tex]\( d \)[/tex] is 3 hours.
- The time elapsed [tex]\( t \)[/tex] is 13 hours.

Now, plug these values into the formula:

1. Calculate the exponent: [tex]\(\frac{t}{d} = \frac{13}{3}\)[/tex].

2. Use this result in the expression [tex]\(2^{\frac{13}{3}}\)[/tex].

3. Multiply the initial population by this power of 2:

[tex]\[ P_t = 13,000 \times 2^{\frac{13}{3}} \][/tex]

After you perform the calculations, you will find that:

[tex]\[ P_t \approx 262,064 \][/tex]

Therefore, the population of the bacteria after 13 hours, rounded to the nearest whole number, is 262,064.

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