Write the equation for this situation

Question

The number of bacteria in a colony double every three hours. At 8 am this morning, there were 120 bacteria. At 11 am, there will be 240 bacteria.

Answer 1

You're dealing with a population problem, which is almost identical to a half life problem.

 

We note that our initial findings of bacteria (8 am) there were 120 bacteria. 3 hours later, the population doubled.

 

P_t = P * (2)^t/d

 

Where P_t is the population at time t, P is our initial population, 2 is the idea that the bacteria are doubling, and d is how long is takes to double the population.

 

Filling in the blanks gives:

 

P_t = 120 * (2)^t/3