How many millions of bacteria?

Question

The population of a certain species of bacteria varies directly with the temperature when the temperature is 32° C there are 8 million bacteria how many millions of bacteria are there when the temperature is 48 degrees Celsius?

Answer 1

Hello Johnathan.

 

The formula for direct variation is y = kx.

 

To find k, set 8,000,000 = 32°(k), so k = 250,000

 

Using k = 250,000, set y = 250,000(48°), and y = 12,000,000 million bacteria.

 

Regads,

Anita A

Answer 2

The equation for direct variation is y = kx

When the temp is 32 degrees, there are 8 million

Let's solve for k:

32 = k(8)

k = 4

Now our equation is y = 4x

So, for the population when temp =48 degrees

 

48 = 4x

x = 12 

Therefore, there are 12 million bacteria when the temp is 48 degrees