High School

A culture of bacteria has an initial population of 230 bacteria and doubles every 9 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,
- [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 calculate the population of bacteria after 13 hours, we can use 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]\( P_0 = 230 \)[/tex] is the initial population.
- [tex]\( t = 13 \)[/tex] is the time in hours.
- [tex]\( d = 9 \)[/tex] is the doubling time in hours.

Let's break it down step-by-step:

1. Substitute the values into the formula:

[tex]\[
P_t = 230 \cdot 2^{\frac{13}{9}}
\][/tex]

2. Calculate the exponent:

First, calculate the exponent [tex]\( \frac{13}{9} \)[/tex]. When you do this calculation, you find that [tex]\( \frac{13}{9} \approx 1.4444 \)[/tex].

3. Calculate the power of 2:

Now, calculate [tex]\( 2^{1.4444} \)[/tex]. This results in approximately 2.743.

4. Multiply by the initial population:

Multiply the initial population [tex]\( 230 \)[/tex] by approximately [tex]\( 2.743 \)[/tex]:

[tex]\[
230 \cdot 2.743 \approx 625.963
\][/tex]

5. Round to the nearest whole number:

Finally, round 625.963 to the nearest whole number, which gives you:

[tex]\[
P_t \approx 626
\][/tex]

Therefore, the population of bacteria in the culture after 13 hours is approximately 626.

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